African Christmas Drinks

Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah is a content marketing specialist, with a passion for the food niche, she writes engaging content that celebrates the joy of food and its power to bring people together. Having worked on different projects. Her curiosity and creativity shines through in her writing.
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It is the season for comforting, festive beverages! Across Africa, many tasty and unique drinks are enjoyed during the Christmas holidays. If you’re looking for a warming, non-alcoholic option or a spirited cocktail to liven your celebrations, Africa has a lot of inspiring options using local produce and ingredients.

This list highlights 10 different African Christmas drinks that will add an exotic flair to your Christmas table.

10 African Christmas Drinks to Enjoy the Season

South African Rooibos Tea

Soothing Rooibos Tea South Africa’s beloved rooibos tea makes for a comforting, caffeine-free choice during the Christmas season. The rich, earthy red tea is made from the fermented leaves of the Aspalathus linearis bush which only grows in South Africa’s Cederberg region.

Rooibos features sweet, nutty and slightly tart notes and is bursting with antioxidants. Enjoy it alone or spiced up with fresh ginger, cloves, orange peel or peppercorns for an extra festive cup. The smooth, mellow taste makes a perfect fireside drink for chilling winter nights.

 

African Christmas Drinks
Image Credit: Pinterest

Creamy South African Eggnog

Creamy South African Eggnog A Christmas classic with an African twist! This thick and creamy eggnog showcases South Africa’s famous Pinotage wine blended with brandy, the spice of nutmeg and eggs for a velvety texture.

The hybrid Pinotage grape lends dark, fruity notes and firm tannins to this concoction for added complexity. Topped with more nutmeg and crushed cinnamon, this eggnog is as comforting and delicious as any holiday could wish for. It’s a delightful treat with Christmas cookies or puddings too.

African Christmas Drinks
Image Credit: The Recipe

Palm Wine

Festive Palm Wine The naturally fermented sap from various palm trees makes a refreshing and festive Christmas drink in many parts of tropical Africa. Palm wine has been produced for thousands of years, traditionally tapped from trees like the Raffia or Oil palm before fermenting into a low-alcohol, effervescent beverage.

With a cloudy white appearance and tart, vinous flavors, palm wine makes a bubbling party drink across West and Central Africa. Add slices of citrus or fresh pineapple to enhance the zesty, tart qualities. It’s light, fizzy and full of flavor for Christmas celebrations.

Weird African Food- Palm wine
Palm Wine

Zesty Zobo Drink

Also known as Sorrel Drink or Bissap, this West African favorite blends hibiscus flowers and fruit juices for a zingy Christmas punch. The ruby-red drink boasts a sharp, tart but lively flavor thanks to the hibiscus flowers blending with tropical fruit juices like pineapple, orange and lemon.

The sweet fruit balances brilliantly against the flowers’ acidic bite. As a non-alcoholic Christmas drink, Zobo drink keeps the cheer flowing with its intense crimson shade and sweet-and-sour taste. For added holiday pizazz, top with orange slices, mint leaves or pomegranate seeds.

Health Benefits of Zobo Drink

Ginger Beer

Spicy Ginger Beer Handcrafted ginger beer serves as a warming, belly-soothing Christmas beverage across Africa. Made by fermenting water, sugar, ginger root, lemon rinds and yeast, the spicy-sweet ginger beer features lively carbonation and bold ginger heat. Creative blends might also contain truthful cloves, cinnamon sticks or nutmeg spice for extra Christmas character.

But the bright, gingery burn is what makes it such an excellent pairing for holiday roasts, glazed hams or rich stews. For a special occasion, use homemade ginger beer to craft festive cocktails too!

Coconutty Dawa (African Cocktail)

This Kenyan Christmas cocktail mixes vodka with honey, lime juice and coconut for a smooth, tropical drink. Known as Dawa, the name meaning “medicine” in Swahili, this sweet-sour mixed drink soothes and livens any holiday gathering.

Blending fragrant coconut extracts with the tangy citrus and kick of vodka creates a creamy, candy-like cocktail exploding with fresh flavors. Garnished with lime wedges and toasted coconut flakes, Dawa makes a tempting yet light Christmas tipple across East Africa and beyond.

dawa will drink for travel

Thick & Creamy Amasi

Amasi is a thick, yogurt-like dairy drink popular across Southern Africa. Made by fermenting raw milk with cultures of Lactobacillus bacteria, Amasi boasts a thick milkshake-like texture with pleasant sour notes. As a cooling probiotic drink, Amasi is thicker than regular milk with tangy zip.

The versatility of Amasi makes it the perfect addition to an African Christmas breakfast or even as an alternative to eggnog. Simply mix in sweet honey, cinnamon and nutmeg for added holiday charm. Or enjoy it straight up to soothe your stomach after a hearty Christmas feast!

Thick Creamy Amasi taste atlas scaled

Frothy Chibuku

This opaque, frothy beer originating from Zimbabwe makes for lively Christmas drinking! Brewed from corn, sorghum and yeast, Chibuku is often also called “shake shake” thanks to the sediment that shakes up when poured into your glass.

Natural fermentation gives this milky beer sweet fruity scents and a pleasant sourdough aroma. With a mildly alcoholic yet refreshing flavor, Chibuku is an easy-drinking option for Christmas parties and gatherings across Africa. It finishes quickly with a frothy head, allowing the festivities to keep flowing smoothly all night long!

South African Rock Shandy

Why not blend the best of both worlds with a delicious South African Rock Shandy this Christmas? This beer cocktail mixes an amber lager like Castle or Lion with lemonade or soda water for a refreshing, fizzy drink.

The sharp bite of citrus cuts through the grainy malt character beautifully. It’s crisp, delicious and ends in a sudsy head. With bright lemon notes and easy drinkability, it’s an ideal Beach Christmas beverage too. Garnish your Rock Shandy with lemon wedges or fresh berries to intensify that sweet-tart flavor.

Spiced Sobia Drink

Lastly, warm up with Egypt’s comforting Sobia tea spiced to perfection this Christmas. This West African favorite blends cocoa powder, milk, ginger and guinea pepper for a soothing, full-bodied drink.

Natural honey sweetens while allspice, cloves and nutmeg add festive flair. With bold ginger notes and silky cocoa richness paired with fragrant spices, Sobia tea reflects winter’s cozy essence in a cup. Sip slowly to savor the spicy warmth flowing all the way down. Frothy and velvety, Sobia drink makes a signature African winter beverage the whole family will adore this Christmas.

Sobia drink - African beverages
Image credit: Open Drinks

This list just skims the surface of the different and vibrant holiday drinks to discover across Africa. No matter your taste preference or the occasion, Africa’s mix of festive exotic flavors is sure to astound and delight this Christmas season.

So raise a hearty toast with creamy, spicy or sparkling African drinks as your next holiday tradition! These 10 Christmas beverages offer just a preview of the diverse flavors blending traditional recipes with local flair.

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Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah is a content marketing specialist, with a passion for the food niche, she writes engaging content that celebrates the joy of food and its power to bring people together. Having worked on different projects. Her curiosity and creativity shines through in her writing.
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