Get set for Christmas 2024 with a selection of festive serves, ranging advice, and inspiring insights to get your venue drinks-ready for Christmas and New Year’s.
Get set for Christmas 2024 with our selection of festive serves, ranging advice, and inspiring insights to get your venue drinks-ready for Christmas and New Year’s.
According to research from PROOF Insight, Christmas bookings are 54% higher than last year, with corporate and large group bookings up 38%. With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday this year, there is also an opportunity for venues to boost their sales with the extended festive weekend and social gatherings spreading out across the week before. Our Christmas 2024 guide is packed full of tips, insights, and serve suggestions to help you wow your customers and make more money from your drinks range this festive season.
Look out for great deals on many of the products in this guide, only available when you buy online. Log in or register for your online account at matthewclarklive.com today.
All insight statistics are sourced by: CGA Mixed Drinks Q3 2023; CGA Cost of Living consumer pulse survey December 2023; CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker; Res Diary UK Hospitality Industry Report 2024; Fizzbox
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Merry Margins
Visits to the on-trade remained important, with 41% of customers prioritising spending disposable income out in their favourite pubs and bars . This was reflected in an increase in footfall, up +3% , and dwell time up +4% YoY . With 2024’s festivities nearly upon us, customers continue to value visits to the on-trade as the place for celebrations, reunions or casual catch ups. Make your venue the place to be for all festive occasions and serve a range of drinks that will delight customers as well as make your margins merry! With its eye-catching bottle design, elevated even more in large format, Bottega Gold Prosecco Brut is perfectly suited for bringing some glitz to any festive occasion.
Get set to welcome the Christmas crowds to your venue with a range of sips to encourage customers to spend a little extra to celebrate the occasion.
Despite last year’s challenges, the data shows that on-trade venues saw improved Christmas sales in 2023 compared to 2022.
The sector reported sales growth of 8.8% last Christmas. Pubs performed strongest, with sales growth of 9.6% , followed by restaurants at 8.3% and bars at 5.6% *
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Stretch your pricing ladder by increasing your range of super premium draught lager; giving your customers the option to trade up into the growth segment of the lager category. Introduce Asahi to your taps this Christmas! The number 1 Japanese beer in the UK has a distinctive dry, crisp taste and clean finish. For those seeking a Mediterranean taste, Peroni Nastro Azzurro is an icon in the UK beer market. This premium Italian lager has a distinctive, intensely crisp and refreshing character. Premium Draught Lager Don't forget your fridges! Make sure they're full of favourite lagers and ciders, including premium non-alcoholic sips, like Peroni 0.0% and Asahi 0.0% , which will help you cater to the non- drinking crowds who are also out to treat themselves.
Magnificent Magnums
Encourage customers to spend a little extra and add some wow-factor to their celebrations by offering magnums of wine. Not just for the summer, rosé wine has fast become a sip to enjoy all year round, and it goes well with the complex tastes that Christmas lunch brings. With its pretty pink colour and beautiful bottle design, Ultimate Provence AOP Cotes de Provence served in large format is sure to look magnificent sat atop any festive table. Great for your customers to snap for Insta stories - and for drinking, of course!
Top Tip:
Why not add a theatrical touch and serve your magnums by the glass at the table?
Ultimate Provence AOP Cotes de Provence, France
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Festive Fizz
Memorable drinks for memorable moments
With so many superb sparkling wines available these days, look to extend your sparkling wine offer this Christmas beyond entry level and Champagne. From award-winning English sparkling wines to premium Cavas, and more, encourage customers to splash out on a bottle of fizz that will satisfy both their taste buds and their budgets. Graham Beck Brut NV is perfect for reaching these treat-minded customers. Made in the Cap Classique method, this South African bubbly can be a perfect alternative to Champagne for customers looking to try something new.
Offer customers the opportunity to trade up to a better-quality, more premium sip that will make their special moments even more memorable. Telling the story behind some of your more premium sips can also help elevate your customers' experience. When Chianti became a DOCG in 1984 (typically the most prestigious wine growing sites in Italy), it was a bottle of Ruffino Chianti that wore the first warranty strip bearing the number 00000001. Even though this might not have been an intentional gesture, it seems to render a secret tribute, giving Ruffino its Chianti ‘first-born’ status. Made exclusively of Sangiovese, Ruffino Chianti DOCG shows floral and fruity notes that lead towards spicy scents of white pepper and hazelnuts.
Train your staff on key wines and their stories to help encourage customers to trade- up to a bottle of something special. Top Tip:
Top Tip:
Ensure your by-the-glass sparkling wine range extends beyond your house fizz.
Graham Beck Brut NV, South Africa
Ruffino Chianti DOCG, Toscana, Italy
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The joy of experimentation
Familiar festive favourites
As customers opt for familiar favourites when choosing wine in the on-trade, encourage trade-ups to the classics by drawing attention to them on your menu One of the most popular styles of red wine among Brits, this traditional Rioja Crianza from Don Jacobo delivers rich notes of ripe raspberry, cherry and stewed plums and a fragrance of sandalwood and vanilla. It’s a perfect wine to offer customers who are happy to spend a little extra for more flavour. and offering staff recommendations. 36% of visits to the on-trade are drinks-led occasions, which in turn has seen more customers gravitate to easy- drinking styles and familiar grapes. Encourage staff to ask customers their preferred style of wine to help give suggestions for more premium options. Top Tip:
49% of customers are likely or very likely to try new or different drinks over the festive season. As people are more willing to experiment with new drinks over Christmas, use staff recommendations and menu nods to encourage them to explore with their sips. Austrian white wine, Laurenz V Friendly Grüner Veltliner , is friendly by name and friendly by nature. With a similar, if not more interesting and exciting, taste profile to Sauvignon Blanc, it’s perfect for customers looking to expand their wine palates when out for festivities.
Draw attention to the more interesting wines on your list by adding a box around the products you want to highlight. Top Tip:
Laurenz V Friendly Grüner Veltliner, Austria
Don Jacobo Rioja Crianza, Spain
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Sips Season Who doesn’t love a festive-themed sip? Get inspired for your Christmas cocktails!
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Around the Clock Cheers Brunch 12pm
2pm
Brunch is fast becoming a staple occasion for people heading out earlier in the day to spend time with friends and family. Make brunch special for your customers with bubbles or refreshing cocktails that won't sit too heavy with an indulgent breakfast.
10am
Add a St Germain Hugo Spritz to your winter brunch menus for a light, refreshing spritz serve that’s perfect for daytime drinking. St Germain Hugo Spritz
5pm
Lazy afternoons Drink sales after 10pm are in decline* but have risen sharply in the 12pm to 7pm period. Whether customers are taking extended lunches or having cosy catch ups with friends in the afternoon, make your venue the place to relax amidst the festive chaos.
Lunch Draw in the crowds with lunchtime specials and make sure you have a selection of drinks to suit all tastes, from beers and ciders to a range of food friendly wines available by the glass.
12pm
Menabrea 0 . 0
For those out to enjoy those lazy afternoons, make sure your range caters to those who are moderating their drinking or forgoing alcohol completely, but still want to enjoy their time in their favourite pubs. Spotlight your low and no alcohol offer with Menabrea 0.0% - with all the flavour and rich colour of Menabrea Bionda, just minus the alcohol!
2pm
*Average weekly sales after 10pm -7.3% (value) in the past 12 mths.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
78% of customers choose a wine style that they are familiar with when they are drinking in the on-trade. Encourage customers to trade up to this premium Pinot Grigio, the most popular grape variety, and a style perfect for lunchtime sipping.
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Pre-dinner Sips Encourage customers to arrive early for a pre-dinner drink. Consider welcome drinks for big parties or serve aperitifs to kick-start the merriment.
9 pm
Bubbles are king at this time of year! Fantinel One & Only is a premium single vineyard Prosecco and is the perfect aperitif. Consider also including as part of an exclusive drinks package. Fantinel One & Only Prosecco
7pm
Late night Encourage your late-night revellers to celebrate with a range of serves such as fruity cocktails, slow sippers, or fun, trending shots. 41% of those aged between 18-34-years-old say that evening happy hour specials play a role in whether they visit a late-night restaurant or bar, so consider re-introducing your happy hour deals during the twilight times.
5pm
7pm
Happy hour 43% of customers see ‘happy hour’ as a great time to relax, while 23% use it to connect with colleagues outside of the workplace. Consider happy hour deals, with a possible extension on quieter days of the week.
Speed of serve is more important than ever at this time of year – consider ready to serve drinks, such as the Chandon Garden Spritz. Just pour over ice and garnish with a dried orange wheel and sprig of rosemary. Chandon Garden Spritz
9 pm
Layered shots are proving popular in the on-trade and the Kahlua Baby Stout is small in size but big in flavour! Kahlua Baby Stout
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Get inspired for your Christmas menu! Fête Festive
41% of customers say visits to the on-trade remain a priority for them, but they want to make sure they are spending their money on time well spent.
Think about getting creative with your festive dining experiences to leave positive memories for your customers this holiday season and help encourage repeat visits. How about hosting a themed night or special set menu with Christmas dishes from around the world? If you need some wine pairing inspiration, we’ve got you!
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Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV, Western Cape, South Africa A delicately pink South African sparkling wine, with crisp acidity and fragrances of raspberries, cherries and lavender. The combination of bright acidity and red fruit flavours in this sparkling rosé works well with turkey or traditional Thanksgiving flavours, especially if your meal includes cranberry sauce.
Baigorri Rioja Barrel Fermented Blanco, Rioja, Spain Fermented and aged on lees in new French oak barrels with regular batonnage, this full-bodied white Rioja is very complex, elegant and creamy and can stand up to the rich flavours of the roast turkey and all the delicious trimmings, without overpowering the meat itself.
While it’s the traditional hero of a Christmas dinner in many countries, a juicy roast turkey in the USA is the highlight of Thanksgiving celebrations. Served with all the trimmings and some great wine, of course!
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay, Washington State, USA Crafted in a fresh, soft style with juicy citrus and apple fruit character, this Chardonnay from Washington State has subtle spice and oak nuances that can bring out the more complex flavours and textures of the turkey, especially with traditional sides like bread sauce.
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir,
Marlborough, New Zealand
Bright, ruby hued wine with aromas of black cherry, violets and spices. A fleshy palate with notes of plum and spice and silky tannins, this Pinot Noir is light enough not to overpower the turkey and goes brilliantly with fruity stuffing and cranberry sauce.
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Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore Di Valdobbiadene DOCG, Veneto, Italy With northern Italy’s Veneto region at the forefront of Italy’s fishing industry, it’s no surprise that Prosecco and seafood go together so well. Full of aromas of pineapples, peaches and apples, the bright and dry finish of this Santa Margherita Prosecco works wonderfully with the saline flavours of fresh shellfish, such as lobster, oysters or scallops.
Fantinel Sant’Helena “Judri” Sauvignon Blanc, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy Lively, fragrant Italian Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of peach, melon, tomato leaf and yellow pepper. An excellent match for herbal seafood dishes that call for wines to complement with their own vibrant herbal notes. Traditional festive feasts in Italy often start with their festive feasting with ‘La Vigilia’ on Christmas Eve. Believed to have originated in Southern Italy, the meal is traditionally meat-free, with seafood as the star of the show instead.
The Orange Republic Godello Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain
Textured, full-bodied and satisfying, this Godello from eastern Spain has flavours of apricot and peach, with a hint of quince and a refreshing note of lemon on the finish. This is a great partner for all sorts of seafood, from crab to raw scallops or baked snapper.
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Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Chardonnay, Limarí Valley, Chile The grapes for this chardonnay are sourced from the northernmost point of Chile, bringing all the delicacy of a cool-climate wine, with fresh flavours of green apple and citrus. Oak ageing gives it a soft, creamy texture that will stand well against flavoursome sauces and seasoning of your chicken.
Despite Christmas not being an official holiday in Japan, the tradition of tucking into some delicious Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner is one that’s firmly established itself in Japanese culture since the 1970s. Include this much- loved dish on your festive themed menus for something a little different and a little more memorable for your customers.
Quinta Das Arcas Alvarinho, Minho, Portugal This aromatic and fresh Portuguese white has notes of grapefruit and lime, floral aromas and a saline finish. The palate has a lively acidity and a touch of minerality that can stand up to a savoury fried chicken dish.
14 Hands Merlot, Washington State, USA
For fried chicken that is spicy and robust, this round, structured Merlot is packed with rich flavours and aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry and mocha that will stand up to the mark, without overpowering the complex flavours of the chicken seasoning.
Amandla Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa A bright, zesty and lip-smacking Chenin Blanc with intense flavours of pineapple, peach and lemon that won’t become overpowered by any spicy seasoning or sauces that may feature in your fried chicken dishes.
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Bûche de Noël - or Christmas Log - is said to date back to around 1870, when a Parisian pastry maker was inspired by the Christmas Eve ritual of burning a log in the fire. The traditional recipe features a rolled light sponge cake, filled with cream or buttercream and covered with chocolate ganache. An indulgent dessert to end a delicious feast!
Alamos Velvet, Mendoza, Argentina A sweet and juicy red wine, with raspberry and strawberry fruit flavours that will bring out the taste of any berries you use in your Bûche de Noël. The finish is soft and sweet, with round, velvety tannins that will enhance the luxurious chocolate taste of your dessert.
Cockburn’s Fine Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal
Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, Champagne, France
For a classic Chocolate Bûche de Noël, the nutty, butterscotch notes of this Tawny Port complement the rich, chocolaty layers and the slight sweetness enhances
A classic Champagne, it’s vibrant with green apple and gentle lemon, followed by satisfying notes of nuts and brioche.
This Champagne has a smooth enveloping texture that won’t overpower the rich flavours of the chocolate log.
the cocoa flavours without overwhelming the palate.
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For many Brits, the holidays aren’t complete without a classic Christmas Pudding. Pair with wines that will help end the festive feast on a satisfying note.
Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal Port and Christmas are a match made in heaven. Graham's LBV is overflowing with sweet red and dark fruits, making it a natural companion to a rich Christmas Pudding full of dried fruits.
Château Grand-Jauga Sauternes, Bordeaux, France This is a classic Sauternes from one of the most prestigious Châteaux and is a perfect example of Sauternes that had bottle age. Honey and citrus fruit notes mixed with hints of peach and apricot make it a sublime match for your Christmas Pudding.
Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina A rich yet fresh sweet wine made from Argentina’s signature grape, Malbec, with notes of ripe fig, raisin and plum, kept vibrant by a subtle redcurrant tartness that comes together to complement the dried fruits in the pudding.
Silver Reign Rosé NV Organic, Kent, England
With delightful notes of wild strawberries and juicy ripe summer fruits, this English sparkling wine is an excellent all-rounder. The fresh and fruity flavours of this wine is a great contrast with the rich dried fruits of a Christmas pud.
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