12 Days of Christmas Drinks (with Recipes)

This year, Zafiato has taken the guesswork out of your holiday menu with our 12 Days of Christmas Drinks. We've taken the old carol and gave each of its twelve days its own drink. You’ll find a mix of classics and originals, and we’ve included kid-friendly options for the youngest guests as well as a pairing made for sharing.

Every recipe is written for 8oz, 12oz and 16oz sizes to make it super easy to implement. All milk-based recipes work with dairy or alt milk, and many come with an optional finishing touch for a bit of extra holiday sparkle. They’re built around standard ingredients and/or ingredients in stock at Zafiato.

Maximize the fun and control daily preparation requirement by offering one per day on pre-selected days, or offer the whole menu of twelve all at once for ultimate customer choice, or pick your favourites and adjust as needed. However you use them, you'll able to make a great seasonal feature board.

All Zafiato customers are welcome to request an easily editable Canva design file of the below menu for their own use or tweak it to whatever suits you.

A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE 

A bright pear and spice chai latte to kick off the holiday season. Canadian-made Chai meets steamed milk and pear syrup, with an optional spiced honey drizzle to add depth

and complexity. 

8 oz

• 3oz (80 mL) Say When Chai Concentrate

• 4½ oz (135 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ½ oz (15 mL) Giffard Pear Syrup
  

12 oz

• 4oz (120 mL) Say When Chai Concentrate

• 7oz (205 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¾ oz (22 mL) Giffard Pear Syrup
  

16 oz

• 5 ½ oz (160 mL) Say When Chai Concentrate

• 9 oz (270 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• 1 oz (30 mL) Giffard Pear Syrup

TWO TURTLE DOVES x 2

Paired red and green drinks to share with your special someone. One is a rich raspberry white hot chocolate, and the other is a smooth, lightly sweetened matcha latte. 

THREE FRENCH HENS 

A warm winter spin on the classic French café au lait. Bold roast coffee and steamed milk (or alt milk) with a touch of vanilla, the Parisian way. 

8 oz

• 3 ½ oz (100 mL) Strong Brewed Coffee, or 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 5 ½ oz (160 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ oz (10 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

  
  

12 oz

• 5 oz (150 mL) Strong Brewed Coffee, or 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 9 oz (270 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ½ oz (18 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

  
  

16 oz

• 7 oz (200 mL) Strong Brewed Coffee, or 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 13 oz (380 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¾ oz (25 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

FOUR CALLING BIRDS

This line was “colly birds” in the original carol, referring to blackbirds. A deeply cozy chocolate mocha with a hint of orange. 

8 oz

• 5 g Giffard Dark Chocolate Sauce

• ½ oz (15 mL) Giffard Orange Syrup

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 5 oz (150 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk
  

12 oz

• 10 g Giffard Dark Chocolate Sauce

• ¾ oz (23 mL) Giffard Orange Syrup

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 9oz (260 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk
  

16 oz

• 15 g Giffard Dark Chocolate Sauce

• 1 oz (30 mL) Giffard Orange Syrup

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 12 oz (365 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

Thoroughly mix the espresso and chocolate sauce, then add orange syrup and steamed milk.

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS

What else but a holiday cappuccino. Double espresso with cinnamon under a crown of velvety foam and finished with a sprinkle of golden sugar. 

8 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 5 ½ oz (165 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ⅛ tsp Ground Cinnamon

• 1 tsp Raw Golden Brown Sugar
  

12 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 9 ½ oz (280 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon

• 1½ tsp Raw Golden Brown Sugar
  

16 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 13 oz (390 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon

• 2 tsp Raw Golden Brown Sugar

  
  

SIX GEESE A LAYING

(Kid-Friendly)

A little goose egg of sweetness! A warm caramel vanilla steamer with a hint of cinnamon, topped with a soft cloud of foam to resemble a goose egg.

8 oz

• 7 oz (215 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ oz (10 mL) Giffard Caramel Syrup

• ¼ oz (5 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

• Small Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

  
  

12 oz

• 11 oz (320 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ½ oz (15 mL) Giffard Caramel Syrup

• ¼ oz (7.5 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

• Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

  
  

16 oz

• 14 ½ oz (430 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¾ oz (20 mL) Giffard Caramel Syrup

• ¼ oz (10 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

• 2 Pinches of Ground Cinnamon

SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING 

A London Fog inspired by Swan Lake. Earl Grey, vanilla, and steamed milk (or alt milk) create a soft, opalescent dream complemented by delicate natural lavender. 

8 oz

• 1 Earl Grey Tea Bag

• 3 oz (90 mL) Hot Water

• ¼ oz (8 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

• ¼ oz (9 mL) Giffard Lavender Syrup

• 4 ½ oz (130 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

12 oz

• 2 Earl Grey Tea Bags

• 4 ½ oz (135 mL) Hot Water

• ½ oz (12 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

• ½ oz (14 mL) Giffard Lavender Syrup

• 6 ½ oz (195 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

  
  

16 oz

• 2 Earl Grey Tea Bags

• 6 oz (180 mL) Hot Water

• ½ oz (16 mL) Giffard Vanilla Syrup

• ½ oz (18 mL) Giffard Lavender Syrup

• 9 oz (260 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING  (make kid-friendly by removing the espresso)

An eggnog latte with nutmeg and cinnamon. All the flavours of the favourite holiday drink. 

8 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 3 oz (85 mL) Eggnog

• 3 oz (85 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

• Pinch of Ground Nutmeg

  
  

12 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 5 oz (145 mL) Eggnog

• 5 oz (145 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

• Pinch of Ground Nutmeg

  
  

16 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 7 oz (200 mL) Eggnog

• 7 oz (200 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• 2 Pinches of Ground Cinnamon

• 2 Pinches of Ground Nutmeg

NINE LADIES DANCING 

(make kid-friendly by removing Chile syrup)

A fiery Mexican-style hot chocolate with an accent of Chile and Cinnamon evokes the spinning skirts of the dancers, with an equally bold flavour. 

8 oz

• 25 g Giffard Dark Chocolate Sauce

• ¼ oz (7 mL) Giffard Chili Syrup

• 7 oz (200 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ⅛ tsp Ground Cinnamon
  

12 oz

• 38 g Giffard Dark Chocolate Sauce

• ¼ oz (10.5 mL) Giffard Chili Syrup

• 10 oz (300 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon

  
  

16 oz

• 50 g Giffard Dark Chocolate Sauce

• ½ oz (14 mL) Giffard Chili Syrup

• 13 ½ oz (400 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon

TEN LORDS A LEAPING 

A royal winter cortado. Equal parts espresso and steamed milk (or alt milk), sweetened with a touch of Cinnamon.

4 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso

• 2oz (60 mL) Steamed Dairy or Alt Milk

• ¼ oz (6 mL) Giffard Cinnamon Syrup

Optional Finishing Touch: A light dusting of ground cinnamon.

ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING 

A piping hot mulled apple cider spiced with cinnamon. 

8 oz

• 1 Pump Mountain Cider Concentrate ( ¾ oz / 20ml )

• 7 oz (210 mL) Hot Water

• 1 Cinnamon Stick

  
  

12 oz

• 1½ Pumps Mountain Cider Concentrate ( 1 oz / 30ml )

• 11 oz (315 mL) Hot Water

• 1 Cinnamon Stick

  
  

16 oz

• 2 Pumps Mountain Cider Concentrate

• 14 oz (420 mL) Hot Water

• 1 Cinnamon Stick

  
  

Optional Finishing Touch: .

TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING 

What better way to finish the season than with a festive Spanish-style latte. Espresso and White Chocolate Sauce, topped with steamed milk (or alt milk). 

8 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 22 g Giffard White Chocolate Sauce

• 5 oz (150 mL) Steamed Oat Milk (or other milk)
  

12 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 33 g Giffard White Chocolate Sauce

• 9 oz (260 mL) Steamed Oat Milk (or other milk)
  

16 oz

• 2 oz (60 mL) Espresso (Double Shot)

• 44 g Giffard White Chocolate Sauce

• 12 ½ oz (370 mL) Steamed Oat Milk (or other milk)

Every drink in this collection is made with products we stock and deliver, including Giffard syrups and sauces, Tenzo Matcha, Say When Chai Concentrate and Mountain Cider. If you’re planning a holiday feature board, adding one or two seasonal specials, or running all twelve days of Christmas drinks, Zafiato is here to help you get set up before the rush.