The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with a cup of cheer? Christmas drinks have been a staple of holiday celebrations for centuries, with each country and culture offering its unique twist on traditional beverages. In this article, we’ll take a journey around the world to explore the most popular Christmas drinks that are sure to make your holiday season merry and bright.
A Brief History of Christmas Drinks
The tradition of drinking special beverages during Christmas dates back to ancient times. In medieval Europe, wassail, a spiced apple cider, was a popular drink during the holiday season. The tradition was brought to America by early colonists, where it evolved into the hot buttered rum we know and love today.
As European immigrants came to America, they brought their own unique Christmas drink traditions with them. The Germans introduced glühwein, a mulled wine that’s still popular at Christmas markets today. The Italians brought panettone, a sweet bread that’s often served with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Hot Christmas Drinks
There’s nothing like a warm cup of cheer to take the chill off on a cold winter’s night. Here are some of the most popular hot Christmas drinks from around the world:
Hot Buttered Rum
A classic American Christmas drink, hot buttered rum is made with rum, butter, brown sugar, and spices. It’s a rich and creamy drink that’s sure to warm your bones.
Recipe:
- 1 1/2 oz dark rum
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup hot water
Combine rum, butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a preheated mug. Add hot water and stir until the butter is melted and the drink is smooth.
Glühwein
Glühwein is a traditional German Christmas drink made with mulled wine, spices, and sugar. It’s a popular drink at Christmas markets throughout Germany and is often served in decorative mugs.
Recipe:
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
- 1/4 cup sugar
Combine wine, orange and lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a large pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the wine is hot. Serve in mugs and enjoy.
Cold Christmas Drinks
Not everyone likes their Christmas drinks hot. Here are some popular cold Christmas drinks from around the world:
Eggnog
Eggnog is a creamy Christmas drink made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and nutmeg. It’s a popular drink in America and is often served at holiday parties.
Recipe:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine milk, cream, and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in eggs until well combined. Add nutmeg and stir to combine. Chill in the refrigerator until cold.
Tom and Jerry
A Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas drink made with eggnog, rum, and spices. It’s a popular drink in America and is often served at holiday parties.
Recipe:
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1 1/2 oz dark rum
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Combine eggnog, rum, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mug. Stir until well combined and serve immediately.
Christmas Cocktails
If you’re looking for something a little more festive, why not try a Christmas cocktail? Here are a few popular ones:
Candy Cane Martini
A candy cane martini is a festive Christmas cocktail made with vodka, peppermint schnapps, and grenadine. It’s a popular drink at holiday parties and is sure to get you in the mood for the season.
Recipe:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- 1/2 oz heavy cream
- Crushed candy canes for garnish
Combine vodka, peppermint schnapps, and grenadine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well combined and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with heavy cream and garnish with crushed candy canes.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Spiked hot chocolate is a delicious Christmas cocktail made with hot chocolate, vodka, and whipped cream. It’s a popular drink at holiday parties and is sure to warm your bones.
Recipe:
- 1 cup hot chocolate
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- Marshmallows or chocolate shavings for garnish
Combine hot chocolate and vodka in a large mug. Top with whipped cream and garnish with marshmallows or chocolate shavings.
Christmas Drinks from Around the World
Christmas drinks are a big part of holiday celebrations around the world. Here are a few popular ones:
Wassail (England)
Wassail is a traditional English Christmas drink made with apple cider, spices, and sugar. It’s a popular drink at holiday parties and is often served in decorative mugs.
Recipe:
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
Combine cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a large pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the cider is hot. Serve in mugs and enjoy.
Ponche Navideño (Mexico)
Ponche navideño is a traditional Mexican Christmas drink made with fruit, spices, and rum. It’s a popular drink at holiday parties and is often served in decorative mugs.
Recipe:
- 2 cups fruit punch
- 1 cup rum
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
Combine fruit punch, rum, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a large pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the punch is hot. Serve in mugs and enjoy.
Conclusion
Christmas drinks are a big part of holiday celebrations around the world. Whether you prefer hot or cold, sweet or spicy, there’s a Christmas drink out there for everyone. So why not try something new this holiday season? Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just want to get into the festive spirit, these Christmas drinks are sure to make your holiday season merry and bright.
| Drink | Ingredients | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Buttered Rum | Rum, butter, brown sugar, spices | USA |
| Glühwein | Red wine, spices, sugar | Germany |
| Eggnog | Milk, cream, sugar, eggs, nutmeg | USA |
| Tom and Jerry | Eggnog, rum, spices | USA |
| Candy Cane Martini | Vodka, peppermint schnapps, grenadine, heavy cream | USA |
| Spiked Hot Chocolate | Hot chocolate, vodka, whipped cream | USA |
| Wassail | Apple cider, spices, sugar | England |
| Ponche Navideño | Fruit punch, rum, spices, sugar | Mexico |
In conclusion, Christmas drinks are a fun and delicious way to get into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just want to try something new, these Christmas drinks are sure to make your holiday season merry and bright. So why not give one a try? Your taste buds will thank you!
What are some popular Christmas drinks that I can serve at my holiday party?
Some popular Christmas drinks that you can serve at your holiday party include eggnog, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. These drinks are festive, delicious, and can be made in large quantities to serve a crowd. You can also consider serving seasonal cocktails, such as a candy cane martini or a gingerbread man latte.
In addition to these drinks, you can also consider serving some traditional Christmas beverages, such as wassail or glogg. Wassail is a spiced apple cider that is popular in England, while glogg is a mulled wine that is popular in Scandinavia. Both of these drinks are perfect for serving at a holiday party, and can be made with a variety of spices and ingredients to give them a unique flavor.
What is eggnog, and how do I make it?
Eggnog is a creamy, sweet beverage that is made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and spices. It is a popular Christmas drink that is traditionally served in the United States and Canada. To make eggnog, you will need to combine milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and spices in a large bowl, and then refrigerate the mixture until it is chilled.
You can also add a variety of flavorings to your eggnog, such as vanilla or nutmeg, to give it a unique taste. Some people also like to add a splash of rum or bourbon to their eggnog, although this is optional. Eggnog is a delicious and festive drink that is perfect for serving at holiday parties, and can be made in large quantities to serve a crowd.
What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?
Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are two popular winter drinks that are often confused with each other. The main difference between the two is the type of chocolate that is used to make them. Hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate, while hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder.
Hot chocolate is typically richer and more decadent than hot cocoa, and has a thicker, creamier texture. Hot cocoa, on the other hand, is lighter and more refreshing, and has a more subtle chocolate flavor. Both drinks are delicious and perfect for serving during the holiday season, and can be made with a variety of toppings and flavorings to give them a unique taste.
How do I make mulled wine?
Mulled wine is a popular Christmas drink that is made by heating up red wine with spices and sugar. To make mulled wine, you will need to combine red wine, sugar, and spices in a large pot, and then heat the mixture over low heat until it is hot and fragrant.
You can use a variety of spices to make mulled wine, including cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. You can also add a splash of brandy or other liquor to the wine to give it an extra kick. Mulled wine is a delicious and festive drink that is perfect for serving at holiday parties, and can be made in large quantities to serve a crowd.
What are some popular Christmas cocktails that I can serve at my holiday party?
Some popular Christmas cocktails that you can serve at your holiday party include the candy cane martini, the gingerbread man latte, and the Santa’s little helper. These cocktails are festive, delicious, and can be made with a variety of ingredients to give them a unique flavor.
In addition to these cocktails, you can also consider serving some traditional Christmas drinks, such as Tom and Jerry or eggnog punch. Tom and Jerry is a warm, spicy drink that is made with eggnog, rum, and spices, while eggnog punch is a creamy, sweet drink that is made with eggnog, milk, and spices. Both of these drinks are perfect for serving at a holiday party, and can be made in large quantities to serve a crowd.
How do I make a candy cane martini?
A candy cane martini is a festive and delicious cocktail that is made with vodka, peppermint schnapps, and grenadine. To make a candy cane martini, you will need to combine vodka, peppermint schnapps, and grenadine in a cocktail shaker, and then strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
You can garnish the martini with a candy cane or a sprig of rosemary to give it a festive touch. You can also add a splash of cream or milk to the martini to give it a creamy texture. Candy cane martinis are perfect for serving at holiday parties, and can be made in large quantities to serve a crowd.
What are some non-alcoholic Christmas drinks that I can serve at my holiday party?
Some non-alcoholic Christmas drinks that you can serve at your holiday party include hot chocolate, eggnog, and sparkling cider. These drinks are festive, delicious, and can be made with a variety of ingredients to give them a unique flavor.
In addition to these drinks, you can also consider serving some traditional Christmas beverages, such as wassail or glogg. Wassail is a spiced apple cider that is popular in England, while glogg is a mulled wine that is popular in Scandinavia. Both of these drinks can be made without alcohol, and are perfect for serving at a holiday party.