What to Serve with Gin on Christmas Day: Simple Pairings for Aussie Families

Christmas Day in Australia looks a little different from the snowy postcards we grew up seeing. While the rest of the world is roasting chestnuts by the fire, we’re more likely dealing with 35 degree heat, a fridge full of prawns, and kids running through sprinklers in the backyard. And as the family gathers around for a long, loud, and very Aussie Christmas lunch, many of us reach for a refreshing gin to keep things cool.

Gin has become one of Australia’s favourite summer spirits. In fact, Australian gin sales have grown by more than in the last three years, showing just how much we’ve embraced it during warm weather celebrations. But here’s the question that pops up every year: what should we serve with gin on Christmas Day that feels simple, fresh, and crowd friendly?

We wanted to put together a guide that doesn’t require fancy ingredients or restaurant level prep, just real, delicious pairings that work beautifully for Aussie families. Think backyard BBQs, seafood spreads, fresh summer fruit, and snacks you can prepare in minutes.

So here’s what we’ve learned, tested, and proudly shared easy, no stress Christmas Day pairings that make your gin shine.

Fresh Aussie Seafood: A Natural Match for Gin

Seafood and gin are a perfect match for the Australian Christmas table because gin’s botanicals cut through rich seafood flavours while keeping things light and refreshing. Imagine serving a crisp gin and soda with lime next to a plate of chilled tiger prawns or lemon pepper scallops. We recently paired St Duke’s gin with grilled WA rock lobster at a family lunch, and it instantly lifted the dish bright, zesty, and perfect for a hot day.

Seafood doesn’t compete with gin; it lets the spirit shine.

Summer Salads That Match Our Climate

Gin pairs beautifully with fresh, vibrant salads because the herbal notes in gin complement the crispness of summer produce, especially salads with citrus, herbs, or berries. At one Christmas gathering, we served a watermelon, mint, and feta salad alongside a simple gin spritz.

The pairing worked because the gin’s botanicals mirrored the freshness of the mint while the bubbles cut through the sweetness of the fruit. A classic gin and tonic also works perfectly with a mango and avocado salad, a true Aussie flavour combo.

Salads keep the table colourful and the palate refreshed during a hot afternoon feast.

BBQ Favourites – Because It’s an Aussie Christmas

Barbecued meats with their smoky, savoury flavours benefit from being paired with gin cocktails that offer citrus or herbal lift. Gin balances the richness without overpowering the BBQ.

We’ve paired gin with grilled chicken skewers marinated in lemon and garlic, and it was a hit. A gin highball with soda and fresh basil worked perfectly with BBQ lamb chops, and a gin spritz brought balance to charred vegetable kebabs.

If your Christmas table includes sausages, chicken, or lamb straight off the grill, gin keeps things bright and cuts through the heavier flavours.

BBQ and gin feel like they were made for summer Christmas traditions.

Cheese Boards That Bring Out the Botanicals

Gin and cheese might surprise some people, but the right cheese board can highlight gin’s botanicals and create a beautifully rounded pairing.

We served a simple cheese board last Christmas goat’s cheese, aged cheddar, olives, and honeycomb with citrus forward gin spritzes. The tanginess of the goat’s cheese softened the gin’s botanicals, while the cheddar offered a bold contrast that brought out deeper notes of the spirit. Even something as simple as crackers, brie, and summer berries can make a gin pairing feel special.

A cheese board takes minutes to prepare but feels festive and elevated.

Simple Pairings

Christmas Day in Australia is all about simplicity, family, and flavours that suit our warm weather. Whether your table leans toward seafood, salads, BBQ favourites, cheese boards, or much loved desserts, gin fits beautifully into the mix. It’s very refreshing and easy to pair with the foods we naturally gravitate towards during the season.

What we’ve found, time and time again, is that gin doesn’t need anything complicated to shine, just fresh ingredients, relaxed company, and a bit of Aussie sunshine.

So this 2025 Christmas, when you’re wondering what to serve with your gin, remember: keep it simple, keep it fresh, and let the flavours of the season do the talking. Cheers to easy pairings, great drinks, and an unforgettable Aussie Christmas.