Christmas festivities are a time for imbibing. Everyone has their favorite holiday drinks, and plenty of strong opinions about bad ones. Does your Christmas cocktail of choice line up with everyone else’s in your area?
That’s what a new study by Drinksworld sought to uncover. Using Google search data and cocktail keywords, they found the most popular Christmas cocktail in each U.S. state.
Here they are, plus recipes and tips on how to try them yourself if you feel like branching out this year.
Eggnog
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Texas, Nevada, Wisconsin
Eggnog is the most popular Christmas cocktail, unsurprisingly. It’s searched for the most in 12 states. While many people love the rich, creamy drink, others are disgusted by the thought of drinking eggs. If you don’t like the cloying, super thick supermarket stuff, try making it on your own with this Serious Eats recipe, complete with freshly grated nutmeg on top.
Hot Buttered Rum
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Maine, Utah, Tennessee, West Virginia
Hot buttered rum might be old fashioned, but it’ll certainly help warm you up! That’s important around Christmas, especially in Alaska, Maine, and Montana, where it’s the most popular holiday cocktail. In fact, none of the 10 states where it’s popular are particularly warm during the winter. To make the creamy drink, try this Liquor.com recipe that uses a batter with vanilla ice cream and spices. If you’d rather have something more simple, just mix hot water, rum, butter, and brown sugar.
Christmas Punch
Colorado, Delaware, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Ohio
Christmas punch is the favorite cocktail in 8 states. Though there’s no one set recipe for “Christmas punch,” it usually includes festive ingredients like cranberry juice, orange wheels, and cinnamon sticks, along with your alcohol of choice, of course. Putting out a big punch bowl for a holiday party is beautiful and festive, so try it with this recipe from Well Plated by Erin that includes sparkling wine, apple cider, ginger ale, and rum.
Cranberry Mimosa
Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Hawaii
Seven states seem to prefer a Christmas brunch drink for the holidays. Normally, a mimosa is orange juice mixed with champagne or sparkling wine, so you’d just switch the OJ out for cranberry juice. But it’s Christmas, after all, so you can fancy it up a little with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger like in this recipe from Burrata and Bubbles. Feel free to sugar the rim of the glass, too!
Coquito
Florida, New Jersey, New York, Mississippi, Vermont, New Mexico
Coquito is a Puerto Rican holiday drink, so it’s no surprise that it’s the most popular Christmas cocktail in Florida and New York where there are large Puerto Rican populations. It’s creamy, rich, and sweet, with a strong coconut and spice flavor. Rum-soaked raisins are optional additions and are a great surprise at the bottom of your glass. Make it for your Christmas party with this super easy blender recipe from The Novice Chef.
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Irish Coffee
Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island
Five cold states prefer Irish coffee for Christmas, including a few in the Northeast. Not only will this hot drink warm you up, but it’ll pep you up with caffeine, too. Recipes for the drink vary a little but they’re generally pretty simple. This version from AllRecipes includes Irish cream for sweetness and creaminess along with the typical Irish whisky. Whipped cream on top is a must.
Brandy Alexander
Illinois, Pennsylvania
Where has the popularity for brandy alexanders gone? It’s the most popular Christmas cocktail in only two states, but the retro, sophisticated favorite of your grandparents deserves to make a comeback. It’s a very simple cocktail that’s easy to make at home with the right ingredients. Just shake cognac, creme de cacao (chocolate-flavored liqueur), and cream with ice and it’s done, just like this Liquor.com recipe.
