The ten best Irish Christmas food and drink treats

Irish food and drink are some of the best things about the Christmas season!

Traditional Irish foods and drinks, especially when they come in Christmas gift hampers, are what many of us look forward to the most when the holiday comes around each year. 

Here are our ten favorites!

1. Mince pies

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Mince pies are traditionally served after midnight Mass when the family gets home and begin to patiently await Santa Claus!

2. Cadbury’s chocolates

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Be it a box of Cadbury’s Roses, a delightful Milk Tray, or a simple selection box, these treats are found under every Irish Christmas tree!

3. Irish trifle

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This delicious trifle dessert is made of jelly (Jello), cream, and chocolate sprinkles. It's about 10,000 calories but who cares? It's Christmas! (It's even better when brandy is added.)

4. Guinness porter cake

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This hearty dessert is a delightful after-dinner treat and the kind of filling food that makes the waist size stretch just that little bit more.

5. Hot Irish whiskey

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Whether you call it a hot whiskey or a hot toddy, just make sure you say Sláinte with your first sip!

6. Irish sausages and black pudding

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A full Irish breakfast.

Served for breakfast on the great day itself ... so you’re stuffed before you even get to dinner.

7. USA biscuits

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USA biscuit tins are a long-time staple and include different flavor biscuits (cookies) of every kind, in two separate rows. Woe betide the person who tries to reach down into the bottom level before the top ones are all gone.

8. Whiskey eggnog

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Whiskey eggnog will make your Christmas merry in more ways than one by adding a dash – or more – of Jameson. Aaah! Perfect for relaxing in front of a roaring fire.

9. Irish coffee

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A hot Irish coffee always hits the spot when you come in from a cold walk.

10. Pint of Guinness

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What's a holiday without a pint of plain? Eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season.

* Originally published in Dec 2011, updated in Dec 2024.