From medicine to merry-making: The surprising history of holiday cocktails

HOUSTON – Did you know displaying holiday spices was once considered a symbol of wealth? Or that egg nog was given to very sick people because it was calorie-rich and the booze was thought to be medicinal? Those are just two of the fun facts cocktail historian Elizabeth Pearce shared with us on her recent visit to Houston Life.

Elizabeth hosts ‘drink and learn’ cocktail outings in New Orleans, and she regularly brings her expertise to Brennan’s Houston, sharing delicious cocktails and the fascinating stories behind them.

So if you’re entertaining guests this holiday season, why not wow them with some festive and boozy history? Watch the full segment to learn the surprising history behind holiday drinks that didn’t begin as holiday drinks in the first place.