A complete breakdown of Christmas Party cocktails in “The Office”
The hardworking folks of Dunder-Mifflin know how to throw a party. Almost every Christmas episode of The Office has cocktails involved. We’re here to break them down for you.
In addition to seasonal films, I also have a soft spot for re-watching holiday episodes of my favorite TV shows. Parks and Recreation has some epic Halloween episodes and The Office doesn’t disappoint when it comes to Christmas. If you choose to watch all nine of the Scranton gang’s Christmas episodes, you get an interesting insight into the relationships and hierarchy at play in the series. We see Jim and Pam moving from hopeful friends to a married couple with kids. We see the leadership turnover from Michael to Andy. We see Dwight be absolutely consistent in his antics. These Christmas episodes are a delightful microcosm of The Office.
“This is Christmas spirit. As in spirits. Booze.” – Michael
Season 2, Episode 10 – “Christmas Party”
This is such an iconic episode of the show. You have a solid cold open with the mega tree coming through the tiny door. You have the will-they-won’t-they tension of Jim and Pam and their turquoise teapot. We meet Bob Vance for the first time: “Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.” Best of all, after breaking the Dunder-Mifflin policy of no alcohol at parties, they throw the most epic holiday party we ever see in the series. Todd Packer shows up with mistletoe pinned to his pants, Kevin makes photocopies of his ass, and Kelly kisses Dwight. It’s the highest level of debauchery that can be achieved at a work party. Five stars, all around.
Image property of NBC Universal. All Rights Reserved.
So what are they drinking?
Fifteen bottles of Zitzewitz’s Vodka. The punchbowl is spiked with it, and they do shots of it straight up. Questionable choices, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. (Fun fact: “Zitzewitz’s” brand has also appeared in the show Happy Endings.)
“We have vodka.” -Karen
Season 3, Episode 10 – “A Benihana Christmas”
Darlings, there are so many drinkies in this episode. The story splits off between the guys taking Michael out to Benihana to soothe a breakup and the rest of the office choosing between the Party Planning Committee and the newly-formed Committee to Plan Parties. (Side note: I read that the Benihana they filmed at is 20 minutes from our apartment, and when the world reopens and vaccines are in arms, I’m going to eat hibachi and also learn how to correctly butcher a goose.) The power of parties combines when Benihana shenanigans, Nutcracker Christmas brownies and the Margarita-Karaoke Christmas join forces for a booze-fueled song fest.
So what are they drinking?
Andy Bernard introduces us to Nog-a-Sake: one part eggnog, three parts sake. The Margarita-Karaoke Christmas is serving up slushie-style margaritas with salt for the rims.
“This Christmas party is perhaps the best Christmas party I have ever been to. But then we got so drunk that we had to stop and do this. That’s how your drinking affected me.” -Michael
Season 5, Episode 11 - “Moroccan Christmas”
This is another one of those iconic episodes of The Office where they use the holiday mid-season finale to drop some major plot stuff. In this case, Phyllis’ blackmail plan flops and she tells the whole office (sans Andy) that Angela and Dwight are sleeping together. But amongst all the chaos of interventions and Princess Unicorn are some gems of this Moroccan-themed holiday party and some incredibly iconic Office drinks.
So what are they drinking?
It’s a full bar at this year’s party, and Michael has decided to bartend. Two standouts from the Michael Scott Mixology Pantheon: the One-of-Everything (Equal parts scotch, absinth, rum, gin, vermouth, triple sec, 2 packs of Splenda) and the Orange-Vod-Juice-Ka (vodka mixed with orange juice).
“Yes, we are unveiling an artificial tree. That will never die. Like the spirit of Christmas.” -Dwight
Season 6, Episode 13 “Secret Santa”
The highlight of this episode is that Phyllis is finally allowed to be Santa for the office. The tough part is Michael having several ENFP meltdowns about not being Santa, wanting to be Jesus instead, and learning about the company having a buyer. But let’s focus on the sweet and emotional story of Phyllis instead.
So what are they drinking?
It’s never directly mentioned, but there is no alcohol at this year’s party. Presumably, because the year before, they attempted an intervention for Meredith’s supposed drinking problem. The only beverages we see on the console buffet are 2 liters of soda. It’s an unspoken but very thoughtful component.
“Hey. Who’s in charge of making drinks around here. Is there a bartender?” -Ryan
Season 7, Episodes 11 & 12 “Classy Christmas”
There’s something special about Michael and Holly’s relationship. And her homecoming to Scranton brings back all those happy feelings and reminds us that there’s a lid to every pot and there’s a counter for all of Michael’s wackiness. In an effort to impress Holly, Michael hosts a “classy Christmas party” which Pam delivers on in her new role of office administrator. Jim is too busy to notice the snazzy silver décor or one-man string quartet because Dwight is plaguing him with snowballs.
So what are they drinking?
Mojitos and martinis, which are perfectly in-step with what Michael would think of for “classy Christmas.” Ryan specifically asks for an “F-Train to Brooklyn, extra bitters,” but he settles for a mojito when Oscar says he doesn’t know what it is. In an interview, Mindy Kaling said she made the drink name up because it “sounded infuriating.”
“I would like another alcohol.” - Erin
Season 8, Episode 10 “Christmas Wishes”
This is such a Robert California episode, and I’m honestly okay with it. He’s bartending at the Christmas party and pours shots for Ryan, Kevin, Phyllis and Oscar. Then he turns to Erin and says, “The fifth [shot] is yours, Erin. You can take it or leave it. To take it would be to accept that you are at a party and that you’re an adult woman with an adventurous spirit. To leave it would be fine, too.” It sets the entire tone for this episode as Erin and Andy sort through their awkward relationship as Erin gets progressively tipsier. Dwight and Jim do their best not to get into trouble, and Jim confesses “I get really pranky when I drink.”
So what are they drinking?
This appears to be a full bar party, as everyone has different cocktails in hand. And I’m pretty sure Erin drinks just about everything. You go, Erin.
“Why don’t we just get some liquor and mini cupcakes?” -Nellie
Season 9, Episode 9 “Dwight Christmas”
The final Christmas Party episode of the series has the same tone as the entire ninth season: well-intentioned but worrisome. Moments that would normally be touching are cringey in Season 9, and that’s especially true in the moments with Jim and Pam. Is it just me? Maybe it’s just me. “Dwight Christmas” is probably my least favorite of the Office Christmas episodes. I like that Dwight has some Belsnickel antics and I like Toby boring Nellie with tales of his jury duty. But it’s hard for me to watch Pam’s heart break as Jim goes off to Philly.
So what are they drinking?
To help me cope with the crushing disappointment of Jim’s Season 9 behavior, there is gluvine. Gluvine is a mulled wine, and Dwight serves his cold in a punchbowl. Phyllis pulls out her stash of eggnog. There’s also a variety of liquor on the console buffet.
The Office will forever be one of my favorite TV shows. There’s something about the clever dialogue and lovable cast of characters that keeps me coming back to re-watch even after dozens of viewings. The Christmas episodes are just that: a bingeable dose of nostalgia and Christmas cheer. And once you realize you could build a little themed bar menu out of the cocktails mentioned in the shows? Even better. Cheers, Dunder-Mifflin.