We are heading towards the end of 2023, and Christmas is right around the corner. Low temperatures, dry air, and gloomy afternoons bring the long-awaited winter vibe and the anticipation of winter holidays. Alongside Christmas and New Year, a number of other holidays are celebrated during the cold months of winter, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Chinese New Year. With the winter break ahead of us, what better way is there to get into the holiday spirit other than enjoying some holiday-specific food? As such, I’ve curated a list of four winter-specific drinks to get you in the festive mood.

Let’s start perhaps with one of the most classic Christmas drinks — eggnog. Eggnog, also known as milk punch, is a chilled, sweetened drink primarily consumed during the Christmas period. Originating in the UK, eggnog is widely popular in North America and some European countries. Its distinct flavor is creamy and has warm, spicy notes. I am a huge fan of eggnog myself, and in my opinion, it tastes like liquid candy. The beverage is made of eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and spices. Ground nutmeg and cinnamon are often added to the drink for a rich and complex flavor profile. Alcohol is an optional ingredient, as many cultures top eggnog with bourbon, rum, or brandy.

Moving on, we have another Christmas special — mulled wine. The key ingredients in this drink are red wine and mulling spices, which is a mix of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. The drink is served warm or hot, and it’s a common practice throughout the northern parts of Europe to serve mulled wine at outdoor markets or parks during winter. I tried mulled wine for the first time in my life on Red Square in Moscow at the age of 16, and I remember it was served with slices of lemon in it, which only made the drink taste more intricate. I highly recommend trying mulled wine, as it will open you to a new perspective on how alcoholic beverages, especially wine, can be consumed in a non-traditional “hot” manner.

Our third winter beverage is the sweetest of all — peppermint hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is foolproof — everybody drinks it during winter. Especially around Christmas, however, the drink is given a new charm with a little bit of peppermint extract. To make peppermint hot chocolate more “fun” to drink, you may add some whipped cream and crushed peppermint candy, or an iconic red-and-white candy cane. Add a sprinkle of chocolate chips on top of the whipped cream, maybe some marshmallows, and you got yourself the most cartoon-looking piece of childhood in a mug.

We finish our list of winter beverages with a fruity Christmas punch. This flavorful drink is light, refreshing, and not too sweet, which makes it perfect for large winter parties with your friends. The festive punch does not have a set recipe, but it is usually made by mixing some fruit juices, fizzy soda, and sometimes alcohol. For the fruit juice, you can’t go wrong with something both sweet and a little sour, such as cranberry, orange, or pineapple juice. For the sparkling component, you would usually go with ginger ale, lemon or lime soda, or plain sparkling water that does not change the flavor of the fruit juices. You have the freedom to add some spices, such as cinnamon sticks, and you are absolutely encouraged to add some fruits — citrus options will not disappoint you. And of course, if your party asks for it, go ahead and add some rum or vodka to the punch, but not too much, as we don’t want to feel ashamed of ourselves after the winter holidays end.