12 Christmas Drinks You Have To Try This Festive Season
While your favourite chain may be offering a snazzy Christmas cup, all our great local cafés, bars and restaurants are adding lots of new flavours to their festive drinks
Hive Coffee Company
This independent coffee shop based in Jarrow not only sells fresh food and coffee daily, they also offer seasonal drinks year-on-year. Their festive menu includes a tiramisu mocha, a pistachio and white hot chocolate, a ginger bread latte and a chestnut praline latte. Fancy something a little different? Order a cranberry and orange iced tea for a refreshing and festive drink.
Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY
hivecoffeecompany.uk
Kollective Kitchen
This year, Sheffield’s Kollective Kitchen have brought back their popular S’mores hot chocolate, so head down and enjoy a fluffy marshmallow sandwiched between two caramel stroopwafels, dunked in a Belgian hot chocolate – Baileys is optional too, and we highly recommend adding a measure!
1 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS
kollectivekitchen.co.uk
The Ivy
With Christmas just around the corner, there is no better place to chill after a day of Christmas shopping than The Ivy. There are a number of restaurants across Yorkshire so you’ll be spoilt for choice, and this year’s theme is a Carousel Christmas. The Ivy have collaborated with vodka brand, Grey Goose, to bring a number of new festive cocktails to the menu – perfect for an evening of celebration with friends.
Harrogate, York and Leeds
ivycollection.com
Flamingo Café and Bar
From granola bowls to hot and hearty soups, this clean-eating café and bar has something for everyone – and the festive drinks menu includes a choc chip hot chocolate made with peppermint syrup and steamed milk, finished with whipped cream and a real candy cane. If you’re in the mood for something a little stronger, their matcha white hot chocolate with matcha Tia Maria is the perfect drink to warm you up.
Unit 3 The Castleside, Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham SR7 7EE
flamingobarandcafe.com
Christmas on Pilgrim Street
In one of Newcastle’s most historic venues, Christmas on Pilgrim Street makes a return as the go-to pop-up bar in Newcastle for a festive drink or two. This year, the popular bar will be at The Market Lane, offering Geordie-styled drinks including Tinsel Toon and The Grinch Who Got Mortal, which includes a blend of El Jimador Tequila, Wray & Nephew and Midori shaken with apple juice, lime juice and sugar, finished with a splash of lemonade.
72–74 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle NE1 6SG
themarketlane.co.uk
Plush Café
On Stonegate, in the centre of York, Plush Café is an independent, family-run business with three themed dining rooms – the Garden Room with swing seats, the Art Deco-inspired Neon Room and the luxurious floor cushion-filled Bohemian Room. Their seasonal drinks are a real highlight here featuring their limited edition hot chocolates in Black Forest and Jack Frost peppermint candy cane flavours.
6 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
plushcafe.co.uk
Allard’s Lounge
Offering Tynemouth locals a range of festive drinks to takeaway, Allard’s is a popular choice for many. The Bailey’s Orange Mocha is a favourite of ours, and the Rudolf and Jack Frost hot chocolates look delicious too. If you’re wanting something a little stronger, but still wanting to stay in the festive spirit, Allard’s also have a range of Christmas cocktails at their Fish Quay restaurant.
74–75 Front Street, Tynemouth NE30 4BP
1 Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ
allardslounge.co.uk
The Botanist
It’s never too early for a glass of mulled wine, so head to The Botanist and enjoy a glass or two of warming orange and clove flavours. Cider more your pace? They have that covered too with a festive Aspall’s Cider infused with a blend of traditional spices, or try the Sloegroni which is a festive take on the traditional Negroni – El Bandarra Vermouth mixed with Portobello Road Sloeberry and Blackcurrant Gin.
Newcastle, York, Leeds and Sheffield
thebotanist.uk.com
Signals Café and Bar
Found right in the heart of Saltburn, Signals Café and Bar serves up delicious breakfasts, brunches, baked cakes and pastries. Their grab-and-go coffee and specialty drinks include deluxe hot chocolates in salted caramel pretzel and millionaire flavours, but our favourite is the loaded Biscoff Black Wafer Hot Chocolate which comes topped with plenty of cream, Biscoff sauce and shards of black wafer.
1A Station Square, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 1AQ
signalssaltburn.com
City Tavern
Spreading the Christmas spirit, City Tavern have had their Christmas decorations up a while now and have started to offer their festive menu. We love the sound of their Mint Chocolate Chip Espresso Martini, decorated just like a Christmas pudding and perfect for those who want a little festive twist added to a classic drink – they also have vegan cocktails including the bourbon and nutmeg sour.
10 Northumberland Road, Newcastle NE1 8JF
citytavern.co.uk
The Dirty Bottles
This iconic free-house pub in the heart of Alnwick has a whole history behind the dirty bottles sealed between two windows, and it just so happens to be the perfect place to go when the weather is a little frosty. Recent renovations have given this Northumberland pub a modern and fresh feel whilst keeping its cosy and homely atmosphere. After a walk with the dogs head to The Dirty Bottles and treat yourself to a glass of premium mulled cider by the roaring fire.
32 Narrowgate, Alnwick NE66 1JG
thedirtybottles.co.uk
Pom Kitchen
From signature hot chocolates, topped with coconut tree frosting, pretzel stars and marshmallow presents, to gingerbread house flavoured with sweets, cream and mini gingerbread men, Pom Kitchen in Sheffield know how to do Christmas drinks. Their enchanting floral decor is enough to draw you into the café on Sharrowvale Road, but if you need any more convincing, the drinks talk for themselves.
388 Sharrowvale Road, Sheffield S11 8ZP
pomkitchen.co.uk
