Like many places worldwide, Christmas in Japan is a wonderful time spent with family or enjoying joyful parties with friends and colleagues. Along with the delicious holiday dishes on the Christmas table, drinks also play an essential role in creating a festive atmosphere. Let’s explore the five most popular Christmas drinks in Japan!
Chanmery
Chanmery is a bubbly party drink that lets kids enjoy the fun while staying alcohol-free. Its name comes from “champagne” and “Merry Christmas”, making it a popular choice during the holiday season and other special occasions. Chanmery comes in fruity flavors like grape, strawberry, peach, or apple. The design of the bottles ensures safety and excitement, allowing them to open with a satisfying “pop” like real champagne but featuring a unique cap that prevents flying corks.
After World War II, a Japanese beverage maker in Tokyo invented non-alcoholic soft champagne for families inspired by the champagne American soldiers drank. In 1966, the French Embassy asked Japan to stop calling it champagne, so by 1973, Japan renamed it “Chanmery”. Since then, it has become an exclusive part of Japanese celebrations, bringing cheer to parties.
Over the years, its popularity grew quickly. Chanmery companies began collaborating with famous anime such as Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, Pokemon, and Demon Slayer. They offered themed bottles with cute character designs, making these Christmas drinks even more magical!
Gluhwein
Gluhwein, known as “glow wine,” is a hot spiced drink standard during winter, especially in Germany and Austria. This cozy treat is made by warming red wine with citrus fruits like oranges. It also uses mixed spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and sweeteners like sugar or honey. It’s a traditional beverage at Christmas markets and ice-skating rinks, where the sweet smell of spiced wine and fruit fills the air, marking the beginning of the festive season.
In recent years, Gluhwein has also become a favorite in Japan, even appearing at Christmas markets and winter festivals. Its easy recipe and simple ingredients make it a delightful way to bring holiday cheer into homes. This Christmas drink is also perfect for warming up and enjoying the winter vibe. It has different versions, like classic spiced Gluhwein or fruity ones like apple or berry.
Amazake
Amazake is a traditional Japanese sake made from fermented rice. It has been enjoyed for over a thousand years since the Kofun period (250–538 AD). Its name means “sweet sake,” but producers can create it with little or no alcohol. Makers ferment rice with koji (a special mold), transforming the rice’s starch into natural sugars, producing its sweet taste. There are two main types: one with alcohol made from sake lees and the other non-alcoholic made with rice koji.
This drink boasts a rich, creamy texture; people enjoy it hot and cold. In addition to Christmas, festivals, temples, and shrines often serve it, especially around the New Year. With its sweet and comforting flavor, amazake offers numerous health benefits. It provides a great source of vitamins, fiber, and essential minerals. Since makers produce it from rice, it is also gluten-free and supports a healthy gut.
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Warm sake
Warm sake, or kanzake, is a traditional Japanese beverage that’s beloved on Christmas and winter days. Its origins trace back to the Edo period (1603–1868). In the past, sake was heated in a kan-nabe (flat pot) over an open flame. Today, it’s usually heated in a tokkuri (sake bottle), dipped into hot water to control the temperature better. This method brings out the rich and smooth flavors of warm sake.
For the Japanese, warm sake is also a favorite choice for special occasions like New Year and Christmas. It is even one of the most popular Christmas gifts in Japan. Around the holidays, you can try warm sake at many Japanese bars, restaurants, and shops.
Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate, or hot cocoa, is a cozy drink made by melting chocolate or mixing cocoa powder with hot milk or water. People usually sweeten it and sometimes top it with whipped cream or marshmallows. When you make it with melted chocolate, you call it drinking chocolate, which has a creamier texture and is not as sweet as regular hot cocoa.
Both kids and adults enjoy sipping this warm drink to stay cozy. You can find the most delightful hot chocolate at famouscoffee shopssuch as Doutor Coffee and Dean & DeLuca Café during Christmas. These cafes are famous for serving up rich and yummy hot cocoa that is ideal for the holidays. Moreover, family restaurants like Gusto and Denny’s offer hot chocolate as part of their drink bar service, so you can enjoy unlimited refills.
Why should I try these Christmas drinks in Japan?
Christmas drinks in Japan bring warmth and joy to the holiday season. They are a unique blend of Western traditions and Japanese flavors, helping to add extra cheer to your celebrations. Each drink, from the sweet and comforting amazake to the spicy warmth of Gluhwein, features natural ingredients that make it both tasty and distinctive.
Sharing these drinks with family and friends creates unforgettable memories, making them an important part of Christmas in Japan. What’s your favorite beverage to have during the winter festival? Let me know in the comments!
