Festive party season is officially underway, and to celebrate this, we’ve used the artificial intelligence (AI) tool Chat GPT to predict what our favourite christmas movie characters would drink with their Christmas dinner¹.
Using AI, we created images of ten of the most iconic characters enjoying their festive cocktails, complete with home recipes for each².
Here’s how we did it
We picked ten of the most popular Christmas movie characters and tasked AI with predicting the Christmas-themed beverage each character will likely wash their Turkey dinner down with based on their personality. The Christmas movie characters and their chosen tipples are:
Let’s delve into our findings:
Ebeneezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol
Festive drink: Hot Toddy
Why: The Hot Toddy, a warm and soothing drink, aligns with Scrooge’s transformation from a cold-hearted miser to a more warm-hearted person. It symbolises comfort and the spirit of giving.
The recipe:
Instructions: Add the whisky, honey, and lemon juice to a heatproof glass or mug. Top up with boiling water and stir well. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon.
Buddy the Elf from Elf
Festive drink: Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Why: Peppermint is a classic Christmas flavour, and according to AI, the sweet and whimsical nature of white hot chocolate fits Buddy’s cheerful and childlike personality perfectly.
The recipe:
Instructions: In a pan over medium heat, warm the milk. Add the chopped white chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in the peppermint extract. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
Kevin McCallister from Home Alone
Festive drink: Virgin Eggnog
Why: Since Kevin is underage, a non-alcoholic Eggnog is best suited for this Christmas movie legend. It’s a traditional Christmas drink many enjoy, signifying warmth and comfort.
The recipe:
Instructions: Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until light and creamy. Mix the milk, cream, vanilla, and nutmeg in a pan, and heat until it simmers. Temper the egg mixture by slowly adding the hot milk mixture while whisking. Return the mixture to the pan and cook until slightly thickened. Chill and serve with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
The Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Festive Drink: Grinch Punch
Why: A bright green, non-alcoholic punch embodies the whimsical and mischievous nature of the Grinch.
The recipe:
Instructions: Mix the soda and pineapple juice in a large bowl or punch bowl. Add a few drops of green food colouring and stir. Scoop lime sherbet into the punch and stir gently. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Festive drink: Black Vodka Martini (also known as the “Black Widow”)
Why: AI revealed to us that the dark and mysterious nature of Jack Skellington is reflected in this bold black cocktail.
The recipe:
Instructions: Fill a shaker with ice and add the black vodka and dry vermouth. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. For a deeper black colour, add a drop or two of black food colouring.
George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life
Festive drink: Mulled Wine
Why: Mulled wine is a Christmas classic! It represents coming together, warmth, and the traditional values George Bailey upholds throughout the festive favourite. The bonus of making mulled wine, it makes your house smell delicious!
The recipe:
Instructions: In a pan, combine all ingredients and heat gently without boiling. Simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and serve hot.
John McClane from Die Hard
Festive drink: Whisky Sour
Why: Although we think whisky works perfectly on its own, AI tells us that a whisky sour represents John McClane’s strength and resilience.
The recipe:
Instructions: In a shaker, combine the whisky, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry and a lemon slice.
We’d also like to know, do you think Die Hard is a Christmas film? It’s one of film’s biggest debates. Let us know over on Twitter!
Kris Kringle from Miracle on 43rd Street
Festive drink: Brandy Alexander
Why: This classic cocktail is creamy, smooth, and has a hint of sweetness, which AI says would align with his comforting demeanour.
The recipe:
Instructions: Add the brandy (or whisky), dark crème de cacao, and double cream to the shaker. Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled. Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of grated nutmeg on top.
The Conductor from The Polar Express
Festive drink: Hot Buttered Rum
Why: The warmth and richness of Hot Buttered Rum reflect the nostalgic and cosy nature of the conductor character.
The recipe:
Instructions: In a heatproof glass, cream together the butter, sugar, and spices. Add the rum (or whisky) and top up with boiling water. Stir well and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Billy Mack from Love Actually
Festive drink: Champagne Cocktail
Why: Billy Mack is a lively character, and the celebratory nature of a champagne cocktail matches his vibrant personality.
The recipe:
Instructions: Place a sugar cube in a champagne flute and soak it with a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Top with champagne and garnish with a twist of lemon
Christmas is all about warmth, joy, and togetherness, and we wanted to add a dash of cinematic charm to it. It’s incredible how AI could create these matches, giving everyone a wide range of festive-inspired drinks. Whether you’re a Scrooge or a Buddy, there’s a tipple for every taste.
Whisky gifts for Christmas
If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas alcohol gift for a whisky lover this festive season, our third release showcases how diverse sherry cask matured whisky can be. Each bottle has been uniquely matured in casks, ‘seasoned’ by differing types of sherry, for differing periods of time.
You can shop our whisky Christmas gifts here. Our Scotch whisky is also available in varying retailers across the UK.
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Our methodology:
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