Phoebe Hobson

Stepping into Christmas, the afternoons get darker and the weather colder. Whether it’s on the way to work or before the train home, we all need a pick-me-up! There’s a range of festive drinks available this year to warm your frozen heart (along with your face, hands, and toes, too).

This Christmas, the choice of a jolly beverage has no limitations. There are options for everyone: if you prefer heat, then hot chocolate is for you, but if it’s alcohol you’re after, there are DIY cocktail recipes you can follow. But no matter what you’re looking for, there’s a festive drink for you to try.

“Back this year are a trio of delicious hot chocolates: Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Black Forest, and After Eight.”

Drinks can bring us all together in the coldest time of year. Throughout December, it’s undeniable that drinking will be at the centre of Christmas parties and festivities. So, if you’re wondering where to get your next cup of Christmas cheer, we’ve hand-picked a few that we think will get you in a mood as jolly as Buddy The Elf.

Christmas At The Coffee Shop

‘Tis the season, and what better way to get into the spirit than with a festive thirst quencher? Suspense for what the high street coffee shops will have on their December menu grows each year.

Costa has brought back some of their fan favourites for a limited time. Back this year are a trio of delicious hot chocolates: Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Black Forest, and After Eight. You must be quick about it if you haven’t tried them yet! Some Costa locations have already run out of supplies to make these extremely popular drinks.

While we love the classics, prepare to be wowed with their newcomers. Their sticky toffee iced latte is a perfect match for those who don’t feel the cold. They’ve also created a latte of espresso mixed with roasted hazelnuts. In addition to being completely vegan, this drink will make you thirsty for more festive cheer.

The Starbucks menu will transport you straight to the North Pole, where you can enjoy a cup of eggnog with Mr and Mrs Clause. One of the reasons the chain is so popular is due to the hype created around its seasonal menus. This winter, they have updated their menu to include a Chocolatey Gingerbread Latte steamed to perfection. It mixes the traditional gingerbread taste with that classic cocoa goodness. But seasonal staples remain, including their Caramel Waffle and Toffee Nut Frappuccinos.

The Fast And The Festive

Festive favourites from Costa, Café Nero, and Starbucks help us get in the Christmas spirit. But this passion for comfy coffee shops leaves festive fast-food menus in the dust.

“the real magic can be found in their Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate, topped with little stars”

Grab-and-go food chains outdid themselves this year, so they are most definitely on the Nice List. Greggs and their notorious festive bake are always a Christmas staple, but did you know their drinks are some of the tastiest? Our favourite cheeky store has blessed us with a Salted Caramel Latte, a perfect sweet treat on the way to work. If you’re part of the 22 per cent of Britons who love mint chocolate, they also have a delicious Mint Mocha on the menu.

If you pop into McDonald’s for a quick bite, consider trying their Caramel Waffle Latte. It’s a much more affordable alternative to Starbucks! But the real magic can be found in their Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate, topped with little stars, which is so smooth it will slide down your tongue like a sledge on snow.

Martinis Underneath The Mistletoe

“You can woo your guests with a Christmas Cosmopolitan”

People often get merry and bright at the different Christmas markets nationwide. With a Baileys hot chocolate in hand and the mulled wine flowing, the markets are a hot spot for getting people into the Christmas spirit. In Manchester, the Christmas markets are serving up an unusual flavour of mulled wine: strawberry and Amaretto. If you find yourself in the capital of the North, be sure to grab yourself a mug because you won’t regret it. This concoction is a sweet sensation that will stimulate pure seasonal serotonin.

If you’re getting ready for a big works do, Christmas clubbing, or even a night in, there’s plenty of cocktails you can DIY from the comfort of your own home. You can woo your guests with a Christmas Cosmopolitan: add cranberry and lime juice, a double shot of vodka, a dash of triple sec, and some ice to your Boston shaker. After shaking vigorously, sprinkle some edible glitter for good luck. Garnish your glass with sugar and rosemary, and you’ll be “the hostess with the mostest” this winter. You can find fun, festive recipes like these on Google or TikTok. They’re just a click away and can add a special sparkle to your plans.

But don’t forget to drink responsibly, even when you’re in a merry mood.

There’s A Drink For Everyone

Wherever you are, whoever you’re with, and whatever you spend your time doing, add a little joy to your Christmas with a festive beverage. In the words of Cliff Richard, Christmas time is all about mistletoe and wine. So, while you’re spoiling others with gifts, be sure to take the time to treat yourself.

You could even have a different drink for the twelve days of Christmas. You know how the song goes. On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me a candy cane martini!

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Featured image courtesy of Brooke Lark via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

A film graduate and trainee journalist studying a masters at Leeds Beckett University, A girl who loves the power and beauty in words. One who you’ll probably find with her head in a book or typing away, listening to music or podcasts and with a mocha in hand.

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