A Twist on the Most Popular Christmas Drinks from Around the World

With Christmas around the corner, we start to think about all the delicious food and drink that comes along with the most wonderful time of the year. More importantly, how we can impress party guests with a vast array of delicious canapes and festive drinks. We will take a look at some of the most popular Christmas drinks around the world and give you all the information you need to be able to whip up a very merry array.

Unsurprisingly the most popular spirits at Christmas include: Warninks, Baileys, Chambord, Jack Daniels, Tia Maria and Disaronno. Who doesn’t love a snowball, right? Mulled Wine has been named as the UK’s favourite festive tipple and we’re not surprised, this warming, fruity and delicious beverage ticks a lot of boxes as well as being easy to make. You can buy it from most supermarkets ready made and just need to heat it up, but we will give you our favourite Mulled Wine recipe:

Red Wine (your choice but we recommend Merlot)

A splash of brandy (optional)

1 orange - peel and juice

1 lemon - peeled largely

1 cinnamon stick

2 star anise

3 cloves

1 bay leaf

100g caster sugar

Heading over the pond, America’s drink of choice is Eggnog of course, which is very similar to the much loved Advocaat over here in the UK. Ireland can’t go wrong with a traditional Irish Coffee and Germany are big fans of Mulled Wine, known natively there as Glühwein. This year we want to break away from these festive traditions and try something new, so we’ve been looking for lots of new and delicious cocktails to try this Christmas. Here are some of our favourite recipes for you to try at home:

Vanilla Rum Espresso Martini

A delicious twist on a classic and well loved cocktail with this seasons must-have gift from Marks and Spencers.

25ml M&S vanilla rum

25ml Coffee liqueur

25ml Sugar syrup

25ml Espresso

Simply add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and mix well. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass and discard the ice. Mix with edible cocktail glitter to make this even more jolly!

The Snow Queen

This drink not only looks beautiful and luxurious but it will also put a spring in your step! Serve in an old fashioned champagne glass for the WOW factor.

50ml Gin

25ml Triple sec

25ml Lemon juice, plus peel to serve

2 tsp sugar syrup

Handful of ice

Put all the ingredients, apart from the lemon peel, into a cocktail shaker and shake until the mixer feels almost freezing. Strain the cocktail into your glass of choice, we recommend an old fashioned champagne glass for this one, and get rid of the ice. Decorate the side of the glass with the lemon peel.

Eggnog Martini

Is it even Christmas without eggnog? We think not! This super simple, yet delicious, cocktail is sure to put you in the festive spirit!

90ml Eggnogg

30ml Vanilla vodka

30ml Amaretto liqueur

Handful of ice

Grated nutmeg to garnish

Add all ingredients, apart from the nutmeg, into a cocktail shaker and mix well. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass and discard the ice. Finish with a grating of fresh nutmeg for the ultimate Christmas treat!

Sugar Plum Fairy

A brand new and exclusive festive drink for you to try with the popular M&S Sugar Plum Gin, perfect as an alternative to a dessert at a dinner party or for those with a sweet tooth! Serve in a martini glass to dazzle your guests!

50ml M&S sugar plum gin

Top up with Prosecco

Top with candy floss

Super simple to make and even easier to drink!

Christmas Flower

This is another twist on a Christmas classic and we love it! We even have M&S voucher codes to help you save on these specific ingredients! Serve in a classic tall champagne flute and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary or a few frozen cranberries...or both!

30ml M&S Clementine Gin Liqueur

90ml Cranberry Juice

90ml Champagne or Prosecco

No fuss needed, just pour and enjoy!

We hope you enjoy trying out these delicious drinks this festive season as much as we did, and even more so knowing you’re saving money doing so!

By Julian House 21st October 2021