Christmas, Christmas Tree and the revelry, let's take a look at places around the world, and find what people drink to celebrate X-Mas

 

Christmas is around the corner and you know what that means! It's time to start thinking about what cocktails you'll be serving your guests, at your X-Mas party. Whether it's a big family event or a party with friends or a romantic Christmas eve dinner, cocktails are what lifts the mood and sets the spirit. So here is your list of the most favored Christmas cocktails.

 

America

 

In America it always was the Eggnog, which was made with rum, eggs, cream, sugar and nutmeg. Eggnog was originally a British drink, but it was popularized in America by George Washington who served it at his holiday parties.

Although arguably the Egg Nog came from across the pond, but it became an American holiday drink quickly, given the expansive farms and dairy herds available in the States in those days, milk and egg were in plenty.

Another popular Christmas cocktail is the Hot Toddy, which is made with whiskey, honey, cloves and lemon. The Hot Toddy is said to be good for what ails you and is often drunk before bed as a way to fight off a cold.

However, these are just two, there are several popular Christmas cocktails in the United States that people enjoy over the holiday season. Here are a handful of our favourites:

1. Eggnog: In the United States, eggnog is a classic and traditional Christmas drink. It's created using milk, cream, sugar, and beaten eggs, and it's commonly flavoured with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. It can be consumed neat or with alcohol such as rum, bourbon, or brandy.

2. Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps: Hot chocolate is a popular winter beverage in the United States, and it's commonly improved with a splash of Peppermint Schnapps around the holidays. Many people enjoy the mix of rich, creamy hot chocolate with a minty kick.

3. Apple Cider Sangria: Apple cider is a favourite fall and winter drink in the United States, and it may be converted into a festive sangria over the holidays. Apple cider is blended with red wine, brandy, fresh fruits like apples and oranges, and spices like cinnamon and cloves.

4. Cranberry Mule: This seasonal spin on the classic Moscow Mule blends vodka, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and a touch of lime. It's a light and tangy cocktail that's popular at Christmas parties.

5. Winter Spiced Old Fashioned: The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that may be given a seasonal twist over the holidays. This variation incorporates muddled oranges, maple syrup or honey, fragrant bitters and bourbon or rye whisky. The end product is a warm and tasty drink.

6. Peppermint Martini: A Peppermint Martini is a sweet and minty beverage that embodies the essence of the festive season. It is commonly made with vodka, white crème de menthe, and sometimes white chocolate liqueur. To add a festive touch, the glass is frequently rimmed with crushed peppermint candies.

Mainland Europe - Western Europe

 

In mainland Europe, the earliest recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome in 336 AD. The Christmas tree was introduced to Rome by Saint Boniface in the 8th century.

 

Mainland Europe - The Scandinavian Countries

 

The Scandinavian countries were home to the Vikings, who were known for their drinking, feasting and merrymaking, and were converted to Christianity gradually, and kings like Olaf Tryggvason of Norway and Harald Bluetooth of Denmark were prominent catalysts. Scandinavia is also home to the Sami people, who have their own Christmas traditions. The Finns on the other hand, celebrate Joulupukki, which literally means a Yule Goat or Christmas goat. Joulupukki brings gifts to the children and is a symbol of fertility.

The Christmas celebration in several Scandinavian traditions like the Danes, Swedes and Norwegians, is called Jul. Jul is a time to celebrate with family and friends.

 

Christmas in the English Colonies

 

By the late 1600s the English traders have consolidated land grants, shipped more soldiers into the sub-continent and have literally established a colony in India and were gradually replacing the local Kings, Nawabs and Landlords with their rule. This didn't only change the Indian political and social fabric, it affected the Colonial officers too, and new Anglo-Indian traditions took root and many such traditions were taken home by the British officers too.

The English East India Company was the driving force behind India's colonisation. The firm wanted to monopolise the lucrative spice trade. But the English were not the only Europeans with a desire to colonise India.

The French East India Company and the Dutch East India Company followed the English East India Company. But, in the end, the English colonies thrived, and the British Crown dominated the Indian subcontinent from 1858 to 1947.

During the British Indian colonial era, Christmas celebration traditions were influenced by both British customs and the diverse Indian cultural landscape. The British introduced their Christmas traditions to India, and over time, a unique blend of Anglo-Indian traditions emerged, reflecting the fusion of British and Indian elements. Alongside these traditions, certain Christmas cocktails gained popularity among Indian Christians and Anglo-Indians.

Christmas Celebrations in British Indian Colony

Midnight Mass: Attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was a significant part of the Christmas celebration for Indian Christians. Churches were decorated with festive lights, candles, and Christmas trees.
Carol Singing: Carol singing, a British tradition, was embraced by Indian Christians. Groups of carolers would go from house to house singing traditional carols in various languages, including English, Hindi, and regional Indian languages.
Decorations: Homes were adorned with Christmas decorations, including wreaths, garlands, and candles. Christmas trees were often decorated with ornaments, tinsel, and lights.
Feast: Christmas feasts were an important aspect of the celebrations. Families would prepare traditional British dishes like roasted meats, Christmas pudding, mince pies, and plum cakes. Indian dishes were also incorporated, creating a fusion of flavors.
Gift Exchange: The exchange of gifts among family and friends was a customary practice, influenced by British customs.

Anglo-Indian Christmas Traditions

Anglo-Indian Fusion Cuisine: Anglo-Indians added their own unique touch to Christmas meals, blending British recipes with Indian spices and ingredients. Dishes like vindaloo, mulligatawny soup, and kebabs often made their way onto the Christmas table.
Plum Cake: Plum cake, a rich and dense fruitcake, became a staple of Anglo-Indian Christmas celebrations. It was made with dried fruits, nuts, and soaked in spirits like rum or brandy.
Christmas Ball: Anglo-Indians held elaborate Christmas balls, featuring dancing, music, and social gatherings. These events brought the community together to celebrate in style.

Popular Christmas Cocktails

Brandy Punch: Brandy Punch, made with brandy, lemon juice, sugar, water, and sometimes tea or spices, was a popular Christmas cocktail in the British Indian colony. It provided a warm and festive beverage for the holiday season.
Mulled Wine: Mulled wine, prepared by heating red wine with spices and sweeteners, was enjoyed during Christmas gatherings. The warm and spiced flavors provided comfort during the cooler winter nights.
Christmas Eggnog: Eggnog, a creamy and rich beverage made with eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and spirits like rum or brandy, was enjoyed as a festive treat during Christmas.

These traditions and cocktails have continued to be cherished by Indian Christians and Anglo-Indians in present times. They represent a fusion of British and Indian influences, reflecting the unique cultural heritage of the Anglo-Indian community in India.

Christmas in Africa

 

Christmas was not widely celebrated in African colonies until the late 1800s. The Europeans brought Christmas trees and other Christmas traditions to Africa. Christmas is now a popular holiday in many African countries.

Christmas in African colonies is a very different affair from Christmas in Europe. The main difference is that in most of Africa, Christmas is celebrated in the hot summer months. This means that Christmas cocktails are typically fruity and refreshing. Pimms, a British drink made with gin, lemonade, and fruit, is very popular in modern African Christmas celebrations.

Another interesting fact worth remembering is, that, while most of Africa celebrates Christmas on December 25th, there are some countries that have a different day for the celebration. For example, the Coptic Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia celebrate Christmas on January 7th because they follow the older Julian calendar.

African Christmas drinks may include any of the world's liquors and cocktails, but if only one African unique drink must be chosen, it is the Palm wine. Palm sap is tapped from various species of palm trees, and thanks to naturally occurring yeast in the milky white sweet sap, the drink reaches 4% alcohol within a few hours, and among many such popular palm wines, the emu, tombo, and palmy, and often plays a role in Igbo and Yoruba weddings, and with Christmas being an adopted celebration, the same celebratory food and drinks are carried over.