Traditional Christmas Cocktails From Around the World

eggnog in a holiday glass with grated nutmeg

Across the globe, the holiday season inspires a unique range of festive cocktails. Many countries have developed their own classic Christmas drinks—each with its own local flavors, rituals, and ingredients. Here’s a closer look at some time-honored favorites, how they’re prepared, and what makes them distinct.

Eggnog: North America’s Creamy Classic

Eggnog is synonymous with Christmas in the United States and Canada. The rich blend of milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and warming spirits like bourbon or rum delivers nostalgic indulgence and a signature frothy texture.

60 ml bourbon or dark rum
90 ml whole milk
30 ml heavy cream
15 ml simple syrup
1 fresh egg
Freshly grated nutmeg (for garnish)

Add all ingredients except nutmeg to a shaker. Shake vigorously (dry shake) without ice, then add ice and shake again.
Strain into a festive mug or glass.
Dust with grated nutmeg.

Glögg: Spiced Warmth From Sweden

Glögg, the Swedish mulled wine, is a Christmas market staple in Scandinavia. Its blend of red wine, aquavit or vodka, spices, raisins, and almonds creates a deeply aromatic and warming experience, perfect for northern winters.

750 ml dry red wine
60 ml aquavit or vodka
30 ml port wine
30 ml sugar
10 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
8 cloves
Peel of 1 orange
20 ml raisins and 15 ml blanched almonds (for garnish)

Combine wine, port, sugar, spices, and orange peel in a saucepan. Warm gently; do not boil.
After 20 minutes, add aquavit or vodka.
Strain into mugs and serve with raisins and almonds.

swedish glögg mulled wine in glass with almonds and raisins

Mulled Wine: Festive Comfort Across Europe

In Germany it’s called Glühwein; in France, vin chaud; throughout Europe, hot spiced wine is a universal sign of celebration. While every country and household has variations, the combination of red wine, warming spices, citrus, and sugar is at the heart of every pot.

750 ml dry red wine
60 ml brandy
30 ml honey or sugar
1 orange, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
6 cloves
2 star anise

Heat all ingredients together in a saucepan until just steaming (do not boil).
Simmer gently for 20–30 minutes.
Ladle into mugs and garnish with a slice of orange.

mulled wine with orange and spices in a glass

Other Festive Traditions: Ponche, Canelazo, and Coquito

Christmas drinks reflect every region’s heritage. In Latin America, Mexico’s Ponche Navideño combines warm fruits, spices, and sometimes rum. Ecuador’s canelazo is a spiced cinnamon drink spiked with aguardiente. Caribbean celebrations feature coquito, a creamy coconut and rum cocktail distinct from eggnog, using condensed milk, coconut, and hints of cinnamon.

Ponche: Guava, hibiscus, cinnamon, oranges, piloncillo sugar, optional rum
Canelazo: 500 ml water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 30 ml panela sugar, 60 ml aguardiente
Coquito: 60 ml white rum, 60 ml coconut milk, 60 ml sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, vanilla

These examples only begin to reveal the diversity of seasonal drinking traditions. Whether you prefer a hot, spiced cup or creamy, chilled sweetness, there’s a traditional Christmas cocktail to match every winter celebration.