Learn how to pair Christmas dinner party drinks with appetizers, mains, and desserts for a perfect holiday menu.
Planning a Christmas dinner party is exciting… until you’re standing in the wine aisle or browsing cocktail recipes and wondering what actually goes with the food you’re serving. The truth is, the drinks you choose can elevate every dish, make your dinner feel more cohesive, and create the kind of warm holiday atmosphere guests never forget.
But pairing drinks with Christmas dishes doesn’t have to be complicated or “expert-level.” With a few simple principles — plus some festive, practical ideas — you can build a menu that feels intentional, delicious, and holiday-perfect.
This guide breaks down everything you need to pair Christmas dinner party drinks with appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and even dietary needs. Let’s make your holiday table unforgettable.
The Secret to Perfect Drink Pairing
Here’s the simple rule:
Match flavor intensity, balance richness with freshness, and choose drinks that enhance (not overpower) the dish.
That means:
- Lighter dishes → crisp wines, herbal cocktails, sparkling drinks
- Rich, heavy dishes → bold wines, spiced cocktails, aged spirits
- Sweet dishes → sweeter drinks, creamy cocktails, fortified wines
When in doubt, bubbles and citrus are your best friends.
1. Pairing Drinks With Christmas Appetizers
Christmas appetizers set the tone — they’re fun, flavorful, and often a mix of rich and fresh bites. The right drinks should wake up the palate without filling guests before dinner.
Sparkling Wine + Light Finger Foods
Great for: charcuterie boards, puff pastry bites, shrimp cocktail, light canapés
Why it works:
Sparkling wine cuts through salty, fatty appetizers and refreshes between bites.
Best options:
- Prosecco
- Cava
- Brut Champagne
- Sparkling rosé
Non-alcoholic pairing:
Sparkling apple or pear cider with a rosemary sprig.
Mulled Wine + Hearty, Warm Appetizers
Perfect for: mini meatballs, baked brie, stuffed mushrooms, sausage rolls
Why it works:
The warm spices mimic holiday flavors and pair beautifully with savory, baked appetizers.
Notes to match:
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Orange
- Star anise
Avoid pairing:
Very sweet appetizers — the combination overwhelms the palate.
Gin Spritz + Fresh, Herb-Forward Appetizers
Pairs with: caprese skewers, smoked salmon, cucumber bites
Why it shines:
Gin’s botanical notes complement fresh herbs like basil, dill, and rosemary.
Non-alcoholic version:
Tonic water + fresh lime + cucumber ribbons.
2. Pairing Drinks With Christmas Main Courses
This is where the magic happens — the main course usually defines which Christmas dinner party drinks will work best.
Roast Turkey or Chicken + Chardonnay or Light Mulled White Wine
Why it works:
Turkey is mild in flavor, so it needs a wine with medium body and gentle fruit notes.
Top picks:
- Chardonnay (lightly oaked)
- Viognier
- Chenin Blanc
- Mulled white wine with citrus
Cocktail pairing:
A winter sangria with white wine, apples, pear, and thyme.
Glazed Ham + Riesling or Spiced Rum Cocktails
Ham tends to be salty, smoky, and often sweet — so the drink should balance that.
Best pairings:
- Off-dry Riesling
- Gewürztraminer
- Rosé (great with honey-glazed ham)
- Spiced rum + ginger beer
Why:
The slight sweetness in Riesling pairs beautifully with glazes like honey, maple, or pineapple.
Beef Roast or Prime Rib + Merlot or Aged Whiskey
For rich, beefy cuts, you want drinks with depth.
Wine pairings:
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Malbec
Why:
Bold tannins cut through fat and intensify flavor.
Cocktail pairing:
Old fashioned, whiskey sour, or blackberry bourbon smash.
Salmon or Seafood Mains + Sauvignon Blanc or Citrus Cocktails
Great for baked salmon, crab pasta, shrimp scampi, or seafood risotto.
Wine pairings:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Grigio
- Albariño
Cocktail pairing:
Lemon gin spritz, elderflower fizz, grapefruit mojito.
Non-alcoholic:
Sparkling lemonade with mint.
Vegetarian or Vegan Mains + Herbal Whites or Ginger Mocktails
Vegetarian Christmas dishes often include earthy flavors (mushrooms, squash, lentils).
Best pairings:
- Pinot Gris
- Herbal white blends
- Ginger-based cocktails
- Spiced cranberry mocktails
Why it works:
Herbal and citrus drinks complement earthy, hearty plant-based mains.
3. Pairing Drinks With Christmas Side Dishes
Side dishes can have strong flavors, so choose drinks that bring balance.
Creamy Potatoes + Crisp Whites
Pairs with: mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, garlic potato bake
Best matches:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Prosecco
- Dry cider
Why:
Acidity breaks through creaminess.
Stuffing + Spiced Cocktails
Herbed stuffing + spiced cocktails = perfect match.
Try:
- Cinnamon whiskey cocktail
- Hot toddy
- Ginger apple mule
Cranberry Sauce + Rosé or Moscow Mule
Cranberry is tart and fruity.
Best pairings:
- Dry rosé
- Vodka mule
- Rosemary gin fizz
4. Pairing Drinks With Christmas Desserts
Dessert drinks should enhance sweetness — not compete with it.
Chocolate Desserts + Port or Espresso Martini
Chocolate loves bold, deep flavors.
Pair with:
- Ruby port
- Espresso martini
- Creamy hot chocolate cocktails
Fruit Desserts + Moscato or Cranberry Spritz
For pavlovas, trifles, fruit tarts, or berry cakes:
Best matches:
- Moscato
- Sparkling rosé
- Cranberry vodka spritz
Cookies & Holiday Treats + Irish Cream or Eggnog
These are classic Christmas pairings.
Try:
- Irish cream over ice
- Vanilla eggnog
- Cinnamon cream liqueur
Kid-friendly:
Vanilla milk with cinnamon sugar.
Read for mocktails for Christmas parties ideas.
5. Tips to Choose the Best Christmas Dinner Party Drinks
✔ Build a simple drink menu (don’t overdo it)
2 wines + 2 cocktails + 1 mocktail = perfect.
✔ Always include at least one non-alcoholic option
Sparkling mocktails feel just as festive.
✔ Think color, not just taste
Red and green garnishes instantly feel Christmassy.
✔ Match intensity
Delicate dish → delicate drink
Rich dish → bold drink
✔ Use garnishes to elevate presentation
Cranberries, rosemary, citrus wheels, cinnamon sticks, star anise.
✔ Serve pre-batched drinks
It saves time and keeps flavors consistent.
FAQs About Christmas Drinks & Dinner Pairing
1. What are the best Christmas dinner party drinks for a crowd?
Sparkling wine, mulled wine, sangria, and pre-batched cocktails work best for large groups.
2. What drinks pair well with turkey at Christmas?
Light white wines like chardonnay or citrus-based cocktails pair especially well with turkey.
3. What’s the best non-alcoholic drink for a Christmas dinner party?
Cranberry spritzers, apple cider, and herb-infused sparkling mocktails feel festive and refreshing.
4. How many drinks should I serve at a Christmas dinner party?
Plan 1–2 drinks per hour per adult, plus unlimited non-alcoholic options.
5. Should drinks match the dessert too?
Yes — sweet desserts need sweet or creamy drinks like port, eggnog, and Irish cream.