Christmas is a joyous time filled with family gatherings, gift giving, delicious food, and festive drinks. Many traditional beverages are associated with the Christmas season, from hot chocolate and apple cider to eggnog and mulled wine. But what is the most popular Christmas drink of them all?
The Tradition of Christmas Drinks
Serving special Christmas drinks is a time-honored tradition in many cultures. Back in medieval times in Europe, a warm spiced wine called “wassail” was traditionally served during winter festivals. Carolers would go door to door offering a sip of wassail in exchange for gifts or money. The word “wassail” comes from the Old Norse phrase “ves heill,” which means “be healthy.”
Another old European Christmas drink is lambswool, made from roasted apples, sugar, nutmeg, ginger, and the foam of hot ale. In colonial America, eggnog became a popular Christmas beverage after being brought over by European settlers. Rich and creamy, eggnog is made with eggs, cream, sugar, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and typically rum or bourbon.
Other Christmas punches and warmers include apple cider, mulled wine, hot buttered rum, and hot chocolate. These drinks bring warmth and holiday cheers, not to mention a bit of liquid courage for caroling or holiday socializing.
The Many Choices of Christmas Drinks Today
Nowadays our choices of Christmas drinks go far beyond traditional hot ciders and spiced wines. Festive cocktails like peppermint martinis and Christmas cosmos join the lineup of holiday beverages. Restaurants and coffee shops roll out specialty Christmas drinks each year to excite customers, from eggnog lattes to cookies and cream hot chocolate.
Even alcohol brands get into the festive spirit by releasing special Christmas themed beers, wines, and liquors. There are winter lagers, cranberry spiced rums, vanilla vodkas, and so much more. With the modern explosion of craft beverages and seasonal flavors, there are more Christmas drink choices available than ever before.
Factors in Popularity
With so many Christmas drinks to choose from, what factors make one more popular than another? Here are some elements that can influence a drink’s popularity:
- Taste – Is the drink delicious, balancing flavors like sweetness, spices, and warmth? Taste is subjective but essential.
- Tradition – Does it have historic ties to Christmas festivities?
- Accessibility – Is the drink easy to make or buy at stores?
- Versatility – Can it be served hot or cold, alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
- Branding – Is it associated with a well-known brand like Starbucks?
- Price – An expensive or rare drink has less mass appeal.
- Trends – Fad drinks come and go, while some remain popular staples.
These factors all contribute to whether a Christmas drink takes off in popularity or remains a niche choice. But two drinks seem to come out on top year after year.
Hot Chocolate and Eggnog: The Favorites
The two most popular Christmas drinks based on consumption, tradition, and preference are hot chocolate and eggnog. Here’s a closer look at why these two beverages remain the definitive holiday drinks.
Hot Chocolate
Hot cocoa may seem like a given for the Christmas season, but this cozy drink has some compelling advantages:
- Universally appealing flavor for all ages
- Warming and comforting for winter
- Customizable with extras like peppermint, whipped cream, or liquor
- Relatively inexpensive
- Available everywhere from gourmet shops to fast food chains
- Strong associations with Christmas nostalgia and memories
Sipping hot chocolate by the fire or after playing in the snow is a quintessential part of the ideal Christmas experience for many. Hot chocolate is a staple at Christmas markets, parades, tree lightings, and other holiday events. It’s the perfect accompaniment to seasonal activities.
Eggnog
Eggnog has some distinct advantages making it a top Christmas drink contender:
- Traditional ties to European winter celebrations
- Closely associated with Christmas across American pop culture
- Has an exclusive seasonal availability unlike other drinks
- Distinctive flavor profile unlike anything else
- Can be enjoyed non-alcoholic or boozy for adults
- A special treat that people look forward to
The richness and spice of eggnog makes it a special Christmas drink people love to splurge on. From holiday parties to Christmas morning breakfast, eggnog is a delicious tradition.
Popularity by the Numbers
The popularity of hot chocolate and eggnog is backed up by data on Christmas drink consumption and sales:
| Beverage | Estimated Consumption in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| Hot chocolate/cocoa | 58.4 million (2017) |
| Eggnog | 119.78 million (2018) |
Based on sales metrics and surveys, consumption of eggnog and hot chocolate vastly outpaces other Christmas drinks. In a recent poll, around 30% of respondents said eggnog was their favorite Christmas beverage compared to just 3% who preferred mulled wine.
When it comes to non-alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate takes the lead. About 62% of respondents said it was their top choice of non-alcoholic holiday drink. Peppermint mochas came in second at just 11%.
Hot cocoa and eggnog also dominate holiday menus. Data from grocery delivery apps show eggnog and hot chocolate mixes are some of the most ordered items during the Christmas season.
Conclusion
Christmas is filled with beloved traditions, and sipping nostalgic holiday drinks is one of the best. The two most popular Christmas drinks based on historical significance, widespread availability, sales, and consumer sentiment are hot chocolate and eggnog. Their signature flavors, versatility, and evocation of Christmas memories make them undisputed holiday favorites.
Of course, taste is subjective. You may have fonder memories of sipping mulled cider or peppermint schnapps during Christmastime festivities. But the numbers don’t lie – hot cocoa and eggnog reign supreme. So whether you prefer yours virgin or spiked, get into the holiday spirit this Christmas season with a hearty mug of hot chocolate or eggnog!