Christmas drinks bring festive cheer and showcase traditions from around the world. From creamy eggnog in North America to spiced glögg in Scandinavia, these beverages reflect local ingredients, customs, and holiday rituals. Here’s a quick overview of 10 popular Christmas drinks and their highlights:
- Eggnog (United States & Canada): A creamy, custard-like drink with milk, cream, eggs, and spices. Often spiked with rum, bourbon, or brandy.
- Ponche Navideño (Mexico): A warm fruit punch with guavas, tejocotes, cinnamon, and optional rum.
- Glögg (Sweden & Scandinavia): Spiced red wine with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Sorrel Punch (Jamaica): A chilled hibiscus-based drink with ginger, cloves, and optional white rum.
- Cola de Mono (Chile): A coffee-infused, milk-based drink spiked with aguardiente.
- Wassail (United Kingdom): Warm mulled apple cider tied to caroling traditions.
- Vin Brûlé / Mulled Wine (Italy, France, Germany): Spiced red wine with orange slices, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Bombardino (Italy): A rich cocktail of egg liqueur, brandy, and whipped cream.
- Hot Chocolate (Peru): Premium dark chocolate melted with cinnamon and cloves.
- Sujeonggwa (Korea): A sweet drink made with dried persimmons, cinnamon, and ginger.
These drinks celebrate the holidays by bringing people together with unique flavors and traditions. Whether warm or chilled, boozy or non-alcoholic, they offer a taste of Christmas from around the globe. Try adding one to your celebrations this year!
Top European Drinks to Try During the Holiday Season
1. Eggnog (United States & Canada)
Eggnog has been a holiday favorite in North America since colonial times. This creamy drink combines whole milk, heavy cream, beaten eggs, sugar, and spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla, creating a rich, custard-like treat.
Families often stick to homemade recipes passed down through generations. For adults, dark rum, bourbon, or brandy can be added for an extra kick, while non-alcoholic versions keep the traditional taste intact.
In the United States and Canada, eggnog continues to be a festive staple, capturing the warmth and joy of the holiday season.
2. Ponche Navideño (Mexico)
Ponche Navideño is a beloved Mexican drink that fills homes with its warm, inviting aroma during the Christmas season. This traditional fruit punch is a key part of Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas Eve. Its rich flavor comes from a mix of fruits and spices that make it both sweet and tangy.
The punch gets its unique taste from a combination of ingredients. Tejocote adds a tart note, guavas bring sweetness, and apples give it a hearty texture.
The base starts with dark brown piloncillo sugar dissolved in water, paired with fragrant Mexican cinnamon sticks. Other ingredients include:
- Sugar cane stalks
- Hibiscus flowers
- Tamarind pods
- Prunes or raisins
Let it simmer for 45–60 minutes until the fruits are tender and the flavors blend perfectly. Serve it piping hot in traditional clay mugs (jarros). For an extra kick, add a splash of rum or brandy – this boozy version is called "Ponche con Piquete."
3. Glögg (Sweden & Scandinavia)
Glögg is a festive drink from Scandinavia that blends red wine with a mix of warm spices. It’s a popular choice during the holiday season. The recipe typically includes:
- Red wine
- Whole cardamom pods
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Fresh ginger root
- Dried orange peel
- Raw sugar or honey
This spiced wine is a staple of Scandinavian holiday celebrations, bringing warmth and flavor to the season.
4. Sorrel Punch (Jamaica)
Sorrel Punch is a festive Jamaican drink made with dried hibiscus (sorrel), ginger, and cloves. These ingredients are steeped in boiling water, sweetened with cane sugar, and can be spiked with white rum for an extra kick.
Here’s what makes it special:
- Dried hibiscus flowers (sorrel): Brings a tart flavor and a rich red hue.
- Fresh ginger: Adds a warm, spicy edge.
- Whole cloves: Infuses the drink with a fragrant, aromatic layer.
- Cane sugar: Balances the tartness with sweetness.
- White rum (optional): Gives it a bold, spirited touch.
This drink reflects the lively and straightforward holiday traditions of Jamaica.
5. Cola de Mono (Chile)
Cola de Mono, or "monkey’s tail", is a cherished Christmas drink in Chile. This creamy, milk-based beverage is a festive favorite, combining the bold taste of coffee, the warmth of whole cloves, and the sweetness of sugar. To give it a kick, it’s spiked with aguardiente, a popular Chilean spirit.
Here’s what goes into it:
- Milk: The creamy foundation of the drink
- Coffee: Adds bold, rich flavor
- Aguardiente: Brings the alcohol and distinct character
- Whole cloves: Lends a warm, aromatic spice
- Sugar: Balances the flavors perfectly
Cola de Mono is more than just a drink – it’s a festive tradition that embodies the flavors and spirit of Chilean Christmas celebrations.
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6. Wassail (United Kingdom)
Wassail is a classic mulled apple cider that’s deeply tied to the age-old tradition of wassailing. This custom involved carolers visiting homes to spread cheer and bring communities together during the winter season. Even today, it remains a comforting and festive drink, symbolizing warmth and unity in British Christmas celebrations.
7. Vin Brûlé / Mulled Wine (Italy, France, Germany)
Vin Brûlé, called Glühwein in Germany and vin chaud in France, is a classic winter drink made by steeping red wine with spices. Perfect for festive occasions, this cozy beverage features a mix of simple yet flavorful ingredients. Cinnamon sticks bring warmth and sweetness, star anise adds a hint of licorice, and cloves provide a rich depth. Fresh orange slices brighten the flavor with citrus notes, while sugar or honey balances everything beautifully.
8. Bombardino (Italy)
Bombardino is a rich, creamy cocktail that’s a winter favorite in Italy, especially during the Christmas season. Its name, which translates to "little bomb", hints at its bold flavor and warming kick. The drink is traditionally made by heating egg liqueur, mixing it with brandy, and finishing it off with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
This cozy drink is a staple in Italian ski resorts like Livigno, where it’s a go-to for après-ski relaxation. While some bartenders experiment with different spirits, the classic combination featuring brandy remains the most popular. Bombardino perfectly captures the warmth and indulgence of the holidays, making it a cherished part of Italy’s festive traditions.
9. Hot Chocolate (Peru)
Peruvian hot chocolate takes the classic cocoa drink to another level. Made with premium dark chocolate, it’s melted slowly and infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves. The result? A rich, smooth drink packed with deep flavors – perfect for cozy holiday moments.
10. Sujeonggwa (Korea)
Sujeonggwa is a classic Korean drink made with dried persimmons, giving it a naturally sweet, fruity flavor. Cinnamon and ginger add a warm, spicy kick, while a sprinkle of pine nuts on top provides a gentle nutty touch. It’s a popular choice for celebrations and special occasions.
Christmas Drinks and Local Customs
Christmas beverages vary widely across the globe, shaped by each region’s climate, ingredients, and traditions. These drinks often reflect how local communities celebrate the season.
In colder areas like Scandinavia and the United Kingdom, warm alcoholic drinks such as glögg and wassail are popular. These beverages not only help people stay warm but also feature spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which enhance their comforting qualities.
In contrast, tropical and subtropical regions have crafted holiday beverages suited for warmer weather. For example, Jamaica’s chilled sorrel punch, made with hibiscus flowers, is perfect for the Caribbean climate. Hibiscus grows abundantly in the region and has long been a key ingredient in local recipes.
The ingredients in these drinks often highlight cultural histories and agricultural traditions. Mexican ponche navideño, for instance, includes fruits like tejocotes and guavas, while Peruvian hot chocolate showcases the country’s deep connection to cacao.
Serving traditions also differ across cultures. In the United States, eggnog is often a casual family favorite, while Italy’s bombardino is typically enjoyed at ski resorts after a day on the slopes. In Korea, sujeonggwa is served in decorative cups during formal holiday gatherings. Timing also plays a role in these traditions. British wassail is tied to the custom of wassailing – caroling at orchards or neighbors’ homes – usually observed on Twelfth Night. In Chile, cola de mono is a Christmas Eve and Christmas morning staple, often paired with pan de pascua, a traditional holiday bread.
From mulled wine at European Christmas markets to ponche navideño at Mexican posadas, these drinks bring people together and create a festive atmosphere. They serve as a reminder of how food and drink can strengthen cultural bonds during the holiday season.
Conclusion
Holiday drinks from around the world showcase the rich variety of traditions that bring people together during the festive season. From the creamy sweetness of American eggnog to the spiced warmth of Swedish glögg, these beverages offer a glimpse into how different cultures celebrate.
Why not try incorporating some of these drinks into your own celebrations? Host a tasting or tweak the recipes to suit non-alcoholic or dairy-free preferences. You can keep the signature spices and preparation techniques intact while making them work for modern dietary needs.
Whether you’re enjoying Peruvian-style hot chocolate or the comforting flavors of Korean sujeonggwa, these drinks honor cultural traditions and help create memorable moments. This holiday season, consider adding an international touch to your gatherings with these festive beverages.
