Mulled wine

Mince pies washed down with a glass of mulled wine has been revealed as Brits’ favourite Christmas food and drink pairing, according to a Waitrose survey on festive treats.

The poll of 1,000 consumers also found that while Christmas pudding was the most-served dessert, it was a favourite of only one third of the nation. After Christmas pudding, the top four desserts served on Christmas Day were chocolate yule log (18%), followed by mince pies and trifle (both 12%), while 9% opted for Christmas cake. 

When it comes to alcohol, red wine and Baileys came out as the most popular festive drinks, with red wine favoured by drinkers aged 55-plus and Champagne the preferred  tipple of under-25s.

A bubbly 32% of consumers surveyed said Bucks Fizz was their preferred home-mixed alcoholic drink, with 26% revealing a thirst for Irish Coffee and 25% for mulled wine. Other cocktails in the mix included Mojito and Kir Royal.

The survey also uncovered people’s thoughts on being gifted a home-made dessert or baked goods for Christmas. Although 63% agreed it showed “a lot of thought and effort”, only 26% had ever given a home-made dessert themselves.