Eggnog likely evolved from 'posset,' a medieval British drink made with hot milk curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. By the 1700s, the drink had crossed to the American colonies, where it became associated with the holidays. Because dairy products and eggs were plentiful in America, but expensive brandy and wine were taxed, colonists substituted rum—which was cheaply imported from the Caribbean. George Washington was a famous fan of the drink and had his own potent recipe that included rye whiskey, rum, and sherry. The 'nog' in the name might come from 'noggin,' a small wooden mug, or from 'grog,' a term for rum. In 1826, a massive 'Eggnog Riot' broke out at West Point military academy after cadets smuggled whiskey into the barracks to make the holiday drink.