The holiday season is all about following family traditions, and nothing captures the essence of Christmas like a glass of festive drink. Classic beverages like mulled wine have been an integral part of Christmas feats across the globe. However, as per recent trends, a shift has been observed in festive beverages to drinks like Eggnog, Hot Toddy, Spiced Cider, and so on. To understand how Christmas drinks have evolved over the years, Slurrp interviewed mixologists and experts across the country to get you a sneak peek into the world of mixology. So, with your favourite holiday beverage, why don’t you dive deeper into its history, significance, and appeal in today’s era?
Popular Christmas Drinks In Historical Periods
“In the Medieval era, people enjoyed Wassail, a warm spiced ale or cider, and Mulled Wine, known back then as “Ypocras.” By the Victorian era, festive punches made with rum or brandy became all the rage, along with Eggnog. Moving into the 20th century, cocktails like Brandy Alexander and Hot Buttered Rum started becoming festive staples,” Jitin Merani, the Co-founder and Director of Cartel Bros Pvt Ltd, The Glenwalk and DrinQ notes down.
Natasha Sidhu, the Founder of Sultry Noodle, takes her mixology experience and says, “I think Christmas drinks are a global phenomenon, but the popularity of these festive drinks is a regional one. Of course, most of them have a common theme—they’re typically served hot and are often spiced, which makes sense given the cold weather attached to the festival (unless you’re in the country down under, in which case, hello blackberry and vanilla vodka). A few of my favourite Christmas drinks are mulled wine, hot toddy, hot buttered rum, eggnog, spiced cider, Irish coffee, and hot chocolate. In India, one cannot ignore the popularity of golden turmeric milk and kahwa around this time of the year (spike it if you will).”
Shift In The Ingredients Of Christmas Drinks
“Over the years, Christmas drinks have changed a lot. In medieval times, they were simple, made with ale, honey, and a few rare spices. Later, during the Renaissance, sugar and imported spices became more common, and dairy started appearing in festive drinks like posset. By the Victorian era, citrus fruits and spirits like rum and brandy were staples. Today, we see all kinds of modern twists—vegan options, flavours like peppermint and chocolate, and creative garnishes. It’s a blend of tradition and innovation that makes every era’s festive drinks unique,” tells Rahul Singh, a mixologist at Blue Bop.
Adding to it, Natasha Sidhu from Sultry Noodle says, “One must factor in the cost of ingredients and accessibility of the same when we talk about the evolution of Christmas drinks over the years. Even a below-average port can taste remarkable with spices, citrus and sugar. Historically, eggs and milk have been economical and accessible ingredients to mix with spices and create a delicious eggnog. Now, of course, we’re a few clicks away from the best ingredients globally. Even manufacturers are coming up with flavoured spirits and indulgent liqueurs. A bubbly St. Germain spritz or clarified French toast eggnog are now doable and accessible, with bars around the world upping the technique and luxury quotient of their Christmas drinks.”
Mulled Wine: History And Significance
As per Kashyap Salla, the Founder of Zyto, “Mulled wine began in ancient Rome, became a medieval winter staple with added spices, and rose to Christmas prominence in Victorian times, symbolising warmth and festive cheer.”
“Mulled wine has been a winter favourite for centuries. It started with the Romans, who warmed their wine with spices to make it last longer and taste better. As they travelled across Europe, they brought the recipe with them, and it quickly caught on. By the Middle Ages, mulled wine was a staple during cold winters, with spices like cinnamon and cloves thought to have health benefits. It became closely tied to Christmas in the Victorian era, thanks in part to Charles Dickens mentioning it in A Christmas Carol. Since then, it’s become a symbol of holiday warmth and togetherness. Today, mulled wine is a Christmas classic, loved for its comforting aroma and cosy feel,” adds Rahul Singh from Blue Bop.
Rising Popularity Of Eggnog & Hot Toddy
“Hot toddy and eggnog have always been popular; the spirit used to make these concoctions is set by regional spirits, of course. The TV, the newspaper, the internet and now social media have significantly propelled consumerism attached to the holiday season, and thereby, we can actively see influencers, friends, celebrities, and politicians around the world showing their Christmas spirit on platforms that often highlight such beverages,” shares Natasha Sidhu.
“Eggnog and hot toddies became popular at different times, but both owe their rise to a mix of tradition and practicality. Eggnog has its roots in medieval Britain, where it started as “posset,” a warm drink of milk and ale. When it made its way to 18th-century America, people swapped ale for rum, which was cheaper and easier to get. Its rich, creamy texture and festive spices made it a perfect drink for Christmas celebrations, and it quickly became a holiday favourite. Hot Toddies, on the other hand, came from 18th-century Scotland, where people drank them to stay warm and fight off colds. Made with whisky, hot water, and honey or spices, it was as much a remedy as it was a comfort drink. Over time, as it spread to British colonies, people adapted the recipe with local ingredients like rum or tea. Its soothing qualities made it a go-to for chilly winter nights, especially during the holidays. Both drinks have stuck around because they’re warm, cosy, and tied to the spirit of the season,” concludes Rahul Singh.
The Influence Of Modern Trends
Harish Chhimwal, the Lead Mixologist of Olive Group of Restaurants, says, “Modern trends, including the rise of craft cocktails, artisanal spirits, and health consciousness, have significantly influenced the evolution of Christmas beverages. These trends have led to new ways of preparing, presenting, and consuming traditional holiday drinks, giving them a contemporary twist while also meeting changing preferences. Modern trends like craft cocktails, artisanal spirits, and health consciousness have brought innovation to Christmas beverages. While the heart of these drinks—warmth, spice, and festive cheer—remains the same, they are now often reimagined with higher-quality ingredients, unique flavour combinations, and a focus on wellness and sustainability.”
On a personal note, Natasha Sidhu shares, “What I love about the craft cocktails I do is that I use no off-the-shelf syrups or liqueurs to make my drinks. All the liqueurs and syrups I use are made in-house, so bars performing similar practices are ahead of the curve in terms of the health factor of modern-day drinks. However, if you think about it, there is nothing particularly unhealthy about homemade mulled wine. Wine, sugar, spices and oranges—nothing is cleaner than that. Besides, the holiday season is an indulgent one for the most part. That said, of course, just fat washing a rum and clarifying the concoction in early grey tea with some house-made falernum and honey allows you to get a velvety texture, floral notes of bergamot, the sweetness of honey, a tingle of spices and the heat of rum in a more refined way minus the excessive calories.”
Popular Christmas Drinks In The Modern Era
“Traditional favourites like Mulled Wine, Eggnog, and Hot Toddy are still widely loved. But we’re also seeing a rise in modern creations like Cranberry Moscow Mules, Christmas Margaritas, and Spiced Apple Sangria. Non-alcoholic options like mulled cider and sparkling mocktails are also gaining popularity as people look for more inclusive festive drinks,” says Jitin Merani.
“A few of my favourite Christmas drinks are mulled wine, hot toddy, hot buttered rum, eggnog, spiced cider, Irish coffee, and hot chocolate. These are evergreen drinks that you cannot sideline, given the strong emotional bond attached to them generationally over the years. That said, inspirations can be drawn from such drinks to make more technique-forward holiday drinks such as Raspberry EDV spiked hot chocolate, clarified eggnog, spiced whiskey highball, hot buttered rum with cinnamon foam and so on,” concludes Natasha Sidhu.