1Wassail
Danielle Daly
This warm spiced holiday punch has been a part of England’s Christmas tradition for centuries. The drink was often made for an ancient harvest ritual, called wassailing, where people would dance and sing to encourage a good crop in the coming year. Made with apple cider, fresh orange, lemon, roasted apples, and lots of spice, there’s no doubt that a cup will warm you right up.
Get the Wassail recipe.
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2Mexican Hot Chocolate
Will Dickey
Hot chocolate is a tradition in many parts of the world, but in Mexico the beverage has a spicy twist! The slightly sweet and frothy drink is traditionally made with a molinillo, a type of wooden whisk or beater, but you can also use a wire whisk or even a blender. Look for Mexican hot chocolate drinking tablets like Abuelita and Ibarra to give the drink its subtle spiced flavor.
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.
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3Hot Buttered Rum
Caitlin Bensel
This rich, decadent drink is a tradition right here in the United States! It dates back to colonial times but saw revived interest in the 1940s at many tiki bars that served rum-based drinks. This version uses salted butter to balance out the sweetness from the brown sugar and apple pie spice.
Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.
4Eggnog
Brenda Score / The Pioneer Woman
Though the origins of eggnog are often debated, the drink is believed to have roots in early medieval Britain. Back then, it was only for the wealthy to enjoy on special occasions, likely due to the expensive ingredients including eggs, sugar, milk, and alcohol. Today, the creamy beverage is found at most local supermarkets or you can try making your own!
Get the Eggnog recipe.
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5Mulled Wine
Ralph Smith
You can thank 2nd century Romans for this warm, spiced drink. They helped to spread the tradition of mulled wine to different countries across Europe, including Britain, where it’s drank around Christmastime, and Sweden, where you’ll find it called glögg.
Get Ree’s Mulled Wine recipe.
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6Milk Punch
Will Dickey
Eggnog’s less eggy cousin known as milk punch is a New Orleans’ favorite! The boozy bourbon or brandy drink was first served in French Quarter restaurants like Arnaud’s and Brennan’s back in the 1940s.
Get the Milk Punch recipe.
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7Kir Royale
Cookie and Kate
This elegant cocktail was made for holiday celebrations! Named after a Catholic priest and member of the French resistance during World War II, the bubbly drink is often made with Champagne, crème de cassis (a syrupy blackcurrant liqueur), and fresh raspberries.
Get the Kir Royale recipe at Cookie and Kate.
8Coquito
A Sassy Spoon
Enjoy a Christmas drink just like they do in Puerto Rico! This creamy island cocktail is made with tropical coconut milk, warm spices, rum, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. It’s best served chilled with a sprinkle of cinnamon!
Get the Coquito recipe at A Sassy Spoon.
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9Cola de Mono
LarisaBlinova//Getty Images
In Chile, this traditional Christmas drink is perfect for coffee lovers. The name, which translates to mean “monkey’s tail,” is a fun and joyful combination of aguardiente (a clear brandy-like liquor), coffee, milk, sugar, and spices. You can serve it chilled like they do during the warm December months in South America.
10Sorrel Punch
My Forking Life
No Jamaican Christmas holiday would be complete without this refreshing Caribbean drink. It’s made from the roselle plant, which is a type of hibiscus flower. That’s also what gives the ginger-infused drink its ruby red color.
Get the Sorrel Punch recipe at My Forking Life.
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11Ponche Navideno
Mexico In My Kitchen
This Mexican drink is essential in many Christmas celebrations. It’s like a seasonal fruit punch made with tejocotes (a small yellow fruit), guavas, apples, warm spices, and tamarind. The fruity flavor can be warmed up even more by adding a splash of rum.
Get the Ponche Navideno recipe at Mexico in My Kitchen.
12Bombardino
Maleo Photography//Getty Images
Nothing will warm you up after a day of skiing like this Italian drink. Originating in the Italian alps, the name translates to “little bomb,” and that’s exactly it! The boozy cocktail is a simple combination of a creamy eggnog-like liqueur, known as Advocaat, and brandy. It’s served hot with a heaping dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon.
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