CHRISTMAS DRINKS. INSPIRATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO AMAZE YOUR CUSTOMERS

Christmas is just around the corner, and, as every year, professionals in the Ho.Re.Ca. channel are in search of original ideas to surprise and delight their customers with exclusive innovations in food and drink.

Cafés, bars, and restaurants are getting ready to incorporate seasonal specialties, typical and exclusive to the Christmas period, into their menus. They aim to delight palates with ingredients that carry the values of international culinary traditions and evoke memories of childhood or experiences from travels. Because every drink, in its own way, tells a story and encapsulates an emotion.

In this article, we explore the most beloved Christmas drinks worldwide, providing inspiration for you to offer your customers super cool consumption experiences that won’t go unnoticed.

Known as Vin chaud in France, Mulled Wine in England, Glühwein in Germany, Glögg in Scandinavian countries, and Quentão in Brazil, Vin Brulé is the most representative hot beverage of the Christmas season.

Its origins are ancient, dating back to the Middle Ages when it was a tradition to offer guests hot drinks made with red wine, spices, and honey at the end of a meal.

Throughout history, the recipe for Vin Brulé has undergone numerous variations and spread to many European countries, including Italy, and some areas of South America.

The drink we know today—made with wine, sugar, fruit, and spices—likely stems from a reinterpretation of recipes from the Nordic tradition. It is the result of adaptations made by Germanic and Scandinavian populations who began consuming Vin Brulé during the Christmas period.

In Germany, there is also a non-alcoholic version called Kinderpunsch, perfect as a warm beverage for both adults and children.

Across the ocean, a quintessential Christmas drink that marks the beginning of winter festivities is undoubtedly Eggnog, a beverage made with milk, eggs, nutmeg, and spices, similar to Zabaione.

Born in London in the early 1700s, it has spread over time to all English-speaking countries, reaching the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, it is served in the traditional alcoholic version with rum, brandy, and whiskey, or in the alcohol-free variant, embracing the trend of sobriety, dear to Generation Z.

Wassail is a hot beverage made with cider, sugar, spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and fruit—typically orange juice or apples.

Its original recipe dates back to the Middle Ages when spiced hot punches made with beer were consumed in southern England to warm up during cold winter days. Its name derives from Old English “Was hal,” meaning “Be in good health.”

Today, it is also prepared in variations with rum or brandy and in non-alcoholic versions. Wassail is mainly consumed during the Christmas holidays, serving as a digestif after festive meals and dinners.

The iconic drink made with egg yolk, brandy, coffee, and whipped cream is the most well-known Christmas beverage and is widely enjoyed by those spending their winter holidays on the ski slopes in Italy.

Born in the town of Livigno around the 1970s, today it is recognized by all as the winter drink par excellence for warming up and indulging in a good burst of energy.

Thanks to its nutritious and rich ingredients, which provide intense flavors and an unmistakable taste, it is perfect for enjoying in the company of others on cold winter days.

We can consider it the Italian version of the American Eggnog.

Atole is a traditional non-alcoholic warm Christmas beverage originating from Mexico.

Its original recipe is made with water, masa (a dough-like mixture similar to flour), cane sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.

It can be prepared in different fruit variations (fresh or dried, such as nuts and hazelnuts) or chocolate-flavored. In the latter case, it is called Champurrado and resembles classic hot chocolate due to its rich, dense, and full-bodied texture.

It is primarily consumed during the posadas, religious events typical of the Advent period leading up to Christmas.

Sorrel Wine is a drink made from the berries of the sorrel plant, a Caribbean herb, to which spices like ginger and cloves, and white rum are added.

The vivid ruby red color and the aromatic taste of spices give this beverage an intense and bold character.

A cold and carioca-style reinterpretation of Vin Brulé, Sorrel Wine is sipped strictly over ice, even in front of a fireplace.

Sujeonggwa is a drink deeply rooted in Korean tradition, with a long history shrouded in mystery in the Eastern territory.

A winter beverage primarily consumed during the Christmas season, Sujeonggwa is a non-alcoholic drink made with water, dried fruits, persimmons, pine nuts, ginger, and cinnamon. It is served cold after meals.

Its relatively simple recipe has circled the globe, making it perfect to offer an alternative touch to the more traditional Christmas drink options.

Draw inspiration from our ideas to introduce new cocktail and unconventional beverage offerings in your Christmas menus, catering to the tastes of an increasingly curious, demanding, and cosmopolitan clientele.

Experiment with new ingredients and combinations to create personalized and creative Christmas drinks, providing sensory and memorable consumption experiences.

CRATHCO can be an excellent ally in enhancing the quality and variety of your drinks, not only during the holiday season.

Thanks to the innovative range of our hot and cold beverage dispensers, we can offer the ideal equipment – in terms of size, functionality, practicality, and design – to meet any need and help you elevate your drinks to the next level.

Discover our range of hot and cold beverage dispensers and choose the product that suits you best.

Whether you are an experienced professional or a bartender just starting out, looking for new ideas and inspiration, you can find all the assistance you need from us in terms of recipes and product usage guides. This will help you leverage the full potential of your machine, prepare specialties that don’t go unnoticed, and enrich your menu with delicious recipes and new successful offerings. Try it to believe it!