Winter Warmers

Seasonal Christmas Flavours

Winter brings warm, mildly spicy flavours that feel comforting and familiar

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.” The returning Christmas season and the many treats we consume remain vivid in our memories: the spicy scent of gingerbread, the warming Glögg, sweet roasted almonds, and the velvet-like Risalamande, the classic rice pudding with almonds and warm cherry sauce. To celebrate the last months of the year, we have collected some of the most memorable flavours associated with winter – we call them winter warmers.

Comfort and nostalgia

For winter and Christmas, flavours are focused on both tradition and innovation, with a strong emphasis on comfort, nostalgia, and multisensory experiences. Classic seasonal flavours such as cinnamon, orange, cranberry, gingerbread, hazelnut, and chocolate remain popular, often paired with twists to surprise and delight consumers. For example, products like Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Dry Cured Orange & Cranberry Glazed Gammon and Schvarz Christmas Coffee Espresso Caffè Crema (with notes of dark chocolate, butter cookies, and hazelnuts) demonstrate the appeal of these classic profiles while also offering something new. Limited-edition and seasonal confectionery, especially chocolate, dominate launches, often featuring familiar flavours like cinnamon bun, caramel, and various nuts, or presented in gift-worthy packaging.

Despite economic challenges impacting budgets, consumers still seek premium food and drink products as a reassuring, affordable luxury for Christmas. Brands and private labels are responding – the number of seasonal products with premium claims rose to over 10% during Christmas 2024.

The number of seasonal products with premium claims rose to over

during Christmas 2024.

of UK gifters claimed to buy food & drinks as gifts for Christmas 2023.

of German consumers say at-home gatherings encourage them to buy food & drink products they have not tried before.

2024 saw a rise in seasonal launches. Private label has predominantly driven launch growth, up by

since Christmas 2020.

Mintel I The future of Christmas Food & Drink 2025

Applications

Confectionery

Christmas 2025 saw significant activity in confectionery launches, with a strong focus on seasonal chocolate and sugar confectionery. Confectionery, especially chocolate, remained the leading category for Christmas launches, accounting for 28% of all global Christmas/winter food and drink launches, making it the largest sub-category for the season.

Bakery

In 2025, Christmas bakery launches continued to focus on both tradition and innovation, with sweet baked goods remaining a primary area of seasonal innovation. Globally, cakes, pastries, and sweet goods accounted for 12% of all Christmas/winter food and drink launches, making them the second most active sub-category after seasonal chocolate.

Beverages

Christmas 2025 saw a vibrant array of beverage launches, spanning both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, with a focus on seasonal flavours, visual appeal, and inclusivity. E.g., limited-edition sodas included 7UP Shirley Temple Pomegranate and Cherry Soda and Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry (US). Schloer’s Winter Spiced Punch (Ireland) and Schweppes Cranberry Raspberry Ginger Ale (US) offered seasonal twists.

Dairy

Seasonal dairy products leaned into indulgent and comforting flavours. For example, Germany’s Immergut Winter Chocolate Flavoured Milk was positioned as best enjoyed warm, especially with whipped cream, while Austria’s Organic Orange-Chocolate Yoghurt offered a premium blend of chocolate and citrus.