What should I drink with Christmas pudding?
By the time everyone’s had a little rest and they’re ready for Christmas pudding, the big question is, what to drink with it?
Whether you fancy a serve as indulgent as the pud itself, or something to cut through all that richness so you can just about squeeze in the final decadent act of Christmas dinner, here are a few ideas to ponder.
I’ve looked at an array of aged spirits, wines, and liqueurs, with categories focussing on how their different flavour profiles and styles will work alongside the pudding.
Contributed by
Coffee
Coffee with dessert is a great place to start. Why not have a hot, boozy coffee to accompany the piping-hot pudding? Irish Coffee (made with Irish whiskey) is always a winner, layer some double cream on top, and a little grating of nutmeg – delicious! There just so happens to be a full recipe right here in our Christmas Cocktail guide.
Sheridan's Layered Coffee Liqueur
Sheridan’s layered liqueur definitely feels like a decadent Christmas time treat. The white liqueur boasts white chocolate richness, while the dark liqueur is full of roasted coffee and chocolate notes – delicious when combined over ice or in cocktails.
Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Like sipping on espresso! If creamy liqueurs aren’t your thing, but strong coffees are, then say hello to Mr. Black.
Redbreast Lustau Edition Whiskey
The Lustau edition of this much-adored single pot still Irish whiskey doubles down on the sherry influence, matured for nine to 12 years before finishing in first-fill oloroso sherry casks. It would make a fancy addition to your Christmas coffee, or a great option to sip on the side.
Limavady Single Barrel Irish Whiskey
Triple copper pot distilled from 100% Irish barley, this Irish single malt whiskey is matured in bourbon barrels before finishing in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for an enjoyable balance of sweetness and spice.
Rum
You don’t have to stick to Irish whiskey though, in fact, almost all aged spirits work with a good strong coffee and a dollop of cream. How about a dash of whatever you use to light the Christmas pudding? Rum is pretty good for this job, and it also happens to work splendidly with coffee and cream (and nutmeg. If you’re making one for me, always remember the nutmeg).
Black Tot Rum
A hearty aged rum like Black Tot will shine mixed with coffee or sipped with an espresso beside your pudding. It's a robust blend of rums from Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana with a satisfying strength of 46.2%.
Project #173 Christmas Pudding Rum
I can’t write about what to drink with Christmas pudding without drawing your attention to this festive concoction from Project #173 – Christmas Pudding Rum! If sipping this neat with your pudding sounds like pudding overload, why not try it in a serve similar to the Irish Coffee above?
If you prefer something chilled, try a coffee liqueur, layered over ice to contrast the warming fruit and spice of the Christmas pudding.
Something Fruity
Well, the pudding is packed with fruit, so a fruity drink alongside ought to work!
A Kir Royale would make a fantastic accompaniment to Christmas pudding, layering the dark, sweet flavours of creme de cassis with the delicate effervescence of Champagne. This is one of those pairings that even people who ‘don’t really drink Champagne’ will get on board with. Top up a measure of Lejay Creme de Cassis with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine for this bright, characterful serve.
Lejay Crème De Cassis
Lejay in Dijon has been in the liqueur business since 1841, and its Crème De Cassis blackcurrant liqueur is a classic choice for the Kir Royale. The cocktail is attributed to the priest then mayor of Dijon, Felix Kir.
Bollinger Special Cuvée
It is said that Felix Kir always used Dijon cassis and white wine when hosting local functions, but the cocktail has evolved and the delicate fizz of Champagne or sparkling wine elevates the fruity berry richness to new heights. Seriously the best way to enjoy Champagne is with dessert.
Port
Though it deserves our attention all year round, Christmas is Port’s time to shine, and a generous measure ought to help you wash down the final mouthfuls of Christmas pudding and see you through to the cheese board. It also adds an indulgent twist to classic cocktails – try adding a splash to a classic Old Fashioned! Check out our Port Guides to learn more.
Taylor’s Historical Collection - The Mallet
This tawny Port would be great for the Christmas table and boasts notes of raisins, prunes, and spice, which are pretty festive. Part of me likes the idea of someone smashing the Christmas pudding with this mallet-shaped bottle. Not my pudding though, and don’t go ruining anyone’s Christmas by actually doing that.
Taylor's Chip Dry White Port
White Port is delicious, alone or mixed. Try it topped with tonic, or sparkling apple for a refreshing serve that’ll cut through all that puddingy richness.
Calvados
Calvados would make a great Christmas pudding companion, with its notes of cooked apples and cider, it’ll fit right in with all the dried, boozy fruit. Sip it neat and chilled over ice, or topped with warm spiced apple juice!
Sassy Calvados XO
Château de Sassy uses its cider as the base for this Calvados. The cider is aged, then distilled, and the resulting fruity spirit matures for at least six years before bottling.
Sherries and sweet wines
Sherries and sweet wines are also a classic choice for dessert time at Christmas. The fruit for Christmas pudding is soaked in sherry, so some extra on the side for sipping will ramp up all that fruity, boozy richness to the next level. You can use sherry in cocktails too. For a Dry Martini, try a crisp manzanilla or even a little amontillado in place of vermouth. Sweeter styles of sherry work brilliantly in place of sugar syrup in cocktails like an Old Fashioned
Harveys Amontillado Sherry
A medium dry Amontillado Sherry from the renowned producer, Harveys. Rich and sweet, with a good helping of oak influence steering the palate.
Henriques & Henriques 5 Year Old Medium Rich Madeira
Another sweet sipper that tastes so Christmas puddingy it’ll doubtless fit nicely alongside one is Madeira! Packed full of festive spice and toffee character.
There you have it, plenty of inspiration for a festive dessert, enjoy your Christmas pudding drinks!
Neat spirits – whisky and brandy
Pudding marks the end of dinner, which is an achievement in itself. Everyone can relax and digest, so maybe neat spirits like whisky and brandy in small volumes that you can top up as you need are the way to go.
Benrinnes 15 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt Christmas Bottling)
Our very own Christmas bottling would be a great choice here. Delicious single malt Scotch whisky that’s splendid stuff for sipping.
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Whiskey
From the legendary Buffalo Trace distillery, this is a favourite of mine. Great for nursing by the fire after a big dinner.
Baron de Sigognac VSOP
Armagnac is always a treat and a good bottle of VSOP ought to pique the interest of all manner of spirits lovers that you share your table with.
Perhaps this is the time to crack that extra special bottle open? Whether it's a fine single malt Scotch or a generously aged Cognac, it’ll certainly go down nicely with a decadent pud, and beyond, as you unwind after dinner.
Hermitage Café Cognac
Who needs coffee when you have this immensely impressive 20-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac from the experts at Hermitage? You’ll often find notes of coffee running through good quality, well-aged Cognac and this expression was created to focus on those notes. OK, I would probably take a black coffee on the side with this. And if it wasn’t too rude, I might just… save my Christmas pudding for Boxing Day.
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
A legendary single malt from a legendary Speyside distillery, this whisky from Balvenie matures for a mighty 21 years, including a finish in 30-year-old Port pipes for a vinous, fruity profile, with decadent notes of cocoa beneath.
More Christmas guides
Buy the right rum or gin too with our top tips to finding the perfect present in our Christmas guides!
Explore more
