What’s the most popular drink at Christmas?
Yes, it’s that time of year again. You can keep your kale smoothies and kombucha. December is all about comfort, flavour, and those personal little rituals that see us home in these long, dark, cold winter nights.
So, what is everyone actually drinking at Christmas? Some surveys show wine tops the UK’s Christmas drinks list, with nearly three-quarters of adults expecting to have a glass or three on the big day. Others rank brandy as the nation’s go-to festive spirit.
But it’s Baileys that appears to reign supreme as the nation’s favourite festive drink across a number of polls taken, beating even prosecco and mulled wine.
But that’s only half the story. Data might tell us what’s poured most. But it can’t tell us what makes Christmas taste like Christmas. So, here’s the real rundown.
What’s the Most Popular Drink at Christmas?
The Baileys Hot Chocolate Bauble cocktail
Baileys and Irish Cream Liqueurs
Pudding in a glass.
According to surveys, nearly half of the UK picks Baileys as their go-to Christmas drink. It’s easy to see why. It’s a socially acceptable way to drink cream before noon. Bailey’s wasn’t always a Christmas drink, but its creamy, chocolatey, and dangerously easy-to-drink profile has won many hearts and minds over the years. The liquid dessert for grown-ups is poured over ice all over the UK (and beyond) by mothers pretending they’ll “just have one.”
Pro tip: try swapping the standard Irish cream for a new favourite. The Irish cream liqueur market is beautiful right now, with all kinds of variations. Coole Swan is the decadent upgrade, while Dirty Cow creates a Plant Based Cre*m Liqueur for those who require a dairy-free alternative.
If you think cream liqueurs aren’t for proper drinks people, then think again. Crisma Cream Liqueur is made with a base of rum from the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados. Original Magnum uses Benriach whisky as a base, and the likes of Arran, Buffalo Trace, Edradour, and The Whistler have all got in on the act.
The traditional festive favourite is mulled wine
Mulled Wine
Still the undefeated champion of traditional Christmas drinks.
Christmas means tradition, and that means mulled wine isn’t going anywhere. Practically glowing with seasonal smugness, this mix of red wine, citrus, and enough clove and cinnamon to make your house smell like a market in Vienna, but these days, you don’t need to do any hard work. You can buy it bottled, extending to all kinds of variations from gin liqueurs to ready-to-mix syrups.
Making it at home will always give you the most rewarding drink, however. Good thing we have a killer mulled wine recipe.
You don’t have to go this fancy to enjoy Port at Christmas
Wine (and its festive cousins: Sherry and Port)
The timeless Christmas trio.
From pre-dinner sherry to post-turkey Port, and all the red, white, and rosés served with dinner, wine and its fortified cousins practically run Christmas. It’s really no surprise that wine dominates UK Christmas consumption; it fits every moment, from the first toast to the last trifle.
The stronger stuff still needs to shake off a dusty bottle-on-the-shelf reputation for some, and we are part of the crusade to correct this oversight. A chilled fino before lunch? Excellent. A glass of tawny Port after? Perfection. Broaden your wine-soaked horizons with us.
‘Tis the season, but it doesn’t have to always be Champagne
Champagne and Sparkling Wine
For toasts, triumphs, and “we survived another year.”
On the same turf are Champagne and sparkling wine. It’s not Christmas without at least one bottle of something that pops. Champagne is classic, then Prosecco stole the spotlight for a while, and now English sparkling wines are delivering the goods.
Buck’s Fizz
Breakfast of champions (and overtired parents).
Annnd finishing off our wine section of this article is the orange juice you are only allowed once a year. Two parts Champagne to one part OJ, ideally served before 9 am while in a paper crown. Make the best edition of your life here. The key is good fizzy, fresh juice.
Are you buying whisky this Christmas?
Whisky
The quiet hero of the Christmas drinks cabinet.
Whisky is obviously our pick. We’re sure it’s many of our readers, too. Sitting down with a dram of something new or fantastically familiar is one of life’s pleasures. A festive cocktail is too. Heck, whisky goes with everything from Christmas pudding to awkward family reunions. We’ve got two new Christmas bottlings to check out, while we’re on the subject.
Gin-vent, anyone?
Gin and Tonic
The Christmas gin craze is alive and well.
Gin doesn’t hibernate for winter. There are so many seasonal editions now, such as Yuletide Gin or GINgle All The Way. Other examples include Orkney, Black Cat, Trevethan, Sacred, and Solway. You can even buy a snowglobe bottle. Here’s another pro tip. Take your favourite gin and swap tonic for ginger ale, garnish with cinnamon or rosemary, and voilà: instant Christmas spirit. Literally.
Rum
The dark horse of the festive season.
Rum thrives in December. All that vanilla, clove, and caramel sweetness makes it ideal for Christmas cocktails, hot chocolate upgrades, or just sipping slowly while you wait for the Queen’s Speech (or whoever’s doing it now).
Who wants to make the Best Whisky Eggnog there is?
Eggnog
The most controversial Christmas drink on Earth.
First things first, here’s our Eggnog recipe. It’s rich in brandy, cinnamon, and nostalgia. Because if the eggnog is bad, you only have yourself to blame. It’s very much an American thing, and it doesn’t have the best rep, which means if you make a mean one in the UK, people will see you as the hipster drinks whisperer. Or you could go more traditional and just make a Snowball. I love a Snowball.
Want to give the gift of a fine drink this Christmas? We can help.
So, What’s the Real Winner?
At Christmas, every drink has its moment. Baileys rules the sofa, Champagne gets the celebratory moments, and mulled wine has the history. But there’s only one victor.
Whisky, of course. This is Master of Malt. The game is rigged. It always was. Whisky wins.
You can toast with it, sip it, mix it, or gift it. It works before dinner, after dinner, and as dinner (if you plan badly enough). Whatever you’re drinking this year, make it count, make it good, and maybe make it a double.
The most popular drink at Christmas isn’t necessarily your favourite. If you need more inspiration head to our dedicated Christmas gifting shop. Or let us know what you’re looking for on our Instagram.