Christmas in Chile is a time of joy, family gatherings, and delicious food that brings everyone together.
Like in many cultures, food plays a central role in Chilean holiday celebrations, reflecting a rich culinary heritage influenced by indigenous traditions, Spanish colonization, and local ingredients.
From traditional savory dishes to sweet desserts and festive drinks, the Chilean Christmas table is a vibrant feast that captures the heart of the season.
This guide will take you through the top 15 Chilean Christmas foods and drinks that make the holidays unforgettable.
Whether you’re planning your own Chilean-inspired celebration or simply curious about Chile’s unique flavors, these traditional and modern favorites will transport you to a festive Chilean Christmas.
Here are 15 popular Christmas foods that are always found on a Chilean Christmas table:
- Cola de Mono
- Asado
- Cazuela de Ave (Chicken Soup)
- Roasted Turkey
- Ponche de Chirimoya
- Pan de Pascua
- Leche Asada
- Pisco Sour
- Borgoña
- Alfajores
- Seasonal Fruit
- Seafood
- Mote con Huesillos
- Pastel de Choclo
- Navegado
Unlike warm, toasty foods that people in Europe and North America look forward to, refreshing dishes and iced drinks are included in a Chilean Christmas menu.
Keep reading to find out more about a traditional Chilean Christmas!
1. Cola de Mono
Christmas is not Christmas in Chile without Cola de Mono, which translates to “monkey’s tail” in English. It is also called Colemono.
This is a very special drink that is made from:
- Milk
- Sugar
- Coffee
- Aguardiente
(Aguardiente is a type of brandy popular in Latin America.)
Every family has its own unique recipe or version and may add different spices like nutmeg, vanilla, or cinnamon, depending on their personal preference.
This drink is known to be potent, so you need to be 18 years old or above to enjoy it.
2. Asado
It is widespread for Christmas celebrations to include a barbecue or asado, as it is called in Chile.
Since Christmas is in summer, Chilean barbecues are a popular event where families and friends gather to celebrate the holidays.
Barbecues are often held on Christmas eve and enjoyed until the early hours of Christmas morning.
The barbeque is usually an impressive spread of meats like pork, chicken, turkey, and beef with sides of vegetables.
3. Cazuela de Ave (Chicken Soup)
Cazuela de Ave is a popular type of Chilean soup or stew.
It is usually made with chicken or beef but can also be made with turkey, pork, or lamb.
It also contains rice and various vegetables such as:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Onions
- Corn
The meat is cooked until it falls off the bones and the vegetables are perfectly soft and sweet.
The Chilean dish is seasoned with spices like paprika, garlic, and coriander.
4. Roasted Turkey
It may come as a surprise since turkey is commonly the main dish on North American or European Christmas tables.
Still, this traditional holiday meal is also typical in Chile.
You will be forgiven for assuming that serving turkey for Christmas is influenced by northern culture, but this is not the case.
Turkeys have their roots in Mexico and spread to other parts of Latin America.
Turkeys in Chile are often stuffed with apples.
5. Ponche de Chirimoya
Ponche de Chirimoya is a traditional Chilean drink made from chirimoya (custard apples), white wine, and sugar.
It is served chilled, ideal for the Chilean heat.
This drink is also often made at home, so the amount of sugar and white wine varies according to personal preference.
6. Pan de Pascua
Pan de Pascua, or Easter Bread, is a Christmas staple in Chilean homes.
It is a deliciously flavored cake similar to a fruitcake that is filled with candied fruit and nuts.
It also contains bold spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger and is sweetened with honey.
Pan de Pascua can be made at home and is also available in supermarkets and bakeries from late November.
7. Leche Asada
A hugely popular dessert in Chile is leche asada.
It is somewhere between a flan and creme brulee with a smooth, pudding-like consistency and a crunchy custard layer on top.
Translated to “roasted milk,” this dessert is sweet, rich, and packed with flavor.
To make Leche Asada you will need:
- Mik
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Vanilla
Some recipes include heavy cream to make it even more decadent.
This Chilean dessert is the ideal ending to a hot Christmas eve barbecue.
8. Pisco Sour
This potent drink is everything you want on a hot summer’s day. You’ll make it with the following ingredients:
- Pisco (a type of brandy)
- Lime
- Sugar syrup
- Ice
It is sweet, tangy, and refreshing. Pisco Sour is often served before a meal but is also enjoyed on its own as a cocktail.
It is advisable not to go overboard, though, as it has a high alcohol content.
9. Borgoña
Fruit in Chile is cheap, and so it is common to add fruit to drinks to spice them up. Borgoña is a classic Chilean drink.
It is essentially a cocktail containing red wine and fruit.
Chopped strawberries are a favorite, but you can use any summer fruit to make this cocktail.
10. Alfajores
Homemade alfajores are traditional cookies in Chile.
Although people eat Alfajores throughout Latin America, the Chilean variety is unique. They’re made with egg-based dough rather than shortbread.
The cookies are then sandwiched with dulce de leche, otherwise known as caramelized milk.
Alfajores are just a little sweet, light, and soft, so it’s easy to devour a whole lot of them without noticing.
11. Seasonal Fruit
While Chilean Christmas tables are decked with an array of flavorful foods and decadent desserts, many hosts try to balance the rich flavors with fresh seasonal fruit.
Fruit is easily accessible and cost-effective. Popular choices are custard apples, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes.
12. Seafood
Chile has an impressive coastline which influences the local cuisine.
A massive range of seafood is available, ranging from clams, lobster, and eel to salmon and tuna.
Seafood doesn’t usually make an appearance on the Christmas eve table but is generally eaten on Christmas day when people are relaxing on the beach.
While most of us are familiar with Chilean Sea Bass, it surprisingly is not as popular domestically as it is outside of Chile.
Instead, popular Chilean seafood dishes Paila Marina and Ceviche are the go-to Christmas dishes.
Paila Marina is a type of stew made of shellfish, seafood, herbs, spices, and vegetables and seasoned with parsley and paprika.
Chilean Ceviche is made with Patagonian toothfish or halibut.
The raw fish is marinated in lemon or lemon juice along with mint, cilantro, red chili peppers, and garlic.
13. Mote con Huesillos
While not a traditional Christmas drink, it isn’t uncommon to see mote con huesillos enjoyed during the Christmas season.
Afterall, with Christmas being celebrated during the summer months, a refreshing glass of mote con huesillos always hits the spot.
Mote con Huesillo is a refreshing traditional non-alcoholic beverage.
The Chileans make the drink using husked/pearled wheat, dried peaches, cinnamon, sugar, and water.
14. Pastel de Choclo
Pastel de Choclo is a beloved Chilean dish that takes center stage during Christmas celebrations.
This savory corn pie features a creamy topping made from ground corn, milk, and a touch of butter, which caramelizes to golden perfection in the oven.
Beneath this luscious layer lies a hearty filling of spiced ground beef or shredded chicken, often combined with hard-boiled eggs, olives, and raisins to create a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors.
Its comforting warmth and rich taste make it a festive favorite, embodying the flavors of Chilean tradition.
Perfect as a main course or a hearty side, Pastel de Choclo brings families together around the holiday table, offering a taste of home and heritage.
15. Navegado
Navegado, also known as vino navegado or vin chaud in some regions, is a cherished Chilean holiday drink that warms both body and soul during Christmas and winter celebrations.
This mulled wine is made by gently heating red wine with slices of orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and sugar, allowing the flavors to blend into a fragrant and comforting beverage.
The name “navegado” comes from the swirling motion of the orange slices in the pot, resembling small boats navigating through the wine.
Popular in the southern regions of Chile, it is the perfect drink to serve at festive gatherings or cozy evenings by the fire.
Its blend of spices and citrus creates a festive aroma that embodies the holiday spirit, making it a staple of Chilean Christmas traditions.
Celebrate the Holidays with Chilean Flavors
Chilean Christmas foods and drinks offer a vibrant blend of tradition, family warmth, and bold flavors that make the holiday season unforgettable.
From savory staples like Pastel de Choclo to sweet treats like Pan de Pascua, and festive drinks like Cola de Mono and Navegado, each dish and beverage tells a story of Chile’s rich culinary heritage.
Whether you’re recreating these recipes at home or exploring them for the first time, they’re sure to bring a touch of Chilean magic to your holiday celebrations.
Sources
- Nomadic Chica: Celebrating Christmas in Chile and Traditions
- Trafalgar: 5 Unique Chilean Christmas Traditions
- Slowfood: Holiday Food Christmas Cooking in Chile
- World Holiday Traditions: Chile
- Cascada: A Very Merry Chilean Christmas Chile Holiday Traditions
- Food and Wine: Cola De Mono Chilean Holiday Drink
- Wikipedia: Cazuela
- Comidas Chilenas: Ponche De Chirimoya
- Amigofoods: Best Chilean Desserts
- Authentic Food Quest: Pisco Sour Recipe
- The Fish Site: Chile Market Opens for US Live Lobsters
- Wikipedia: Cola De Mono
- Chilean Food and Garden: Chilean Alfajores
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.