Eggnog Dangers and DUIs

2-in-3 Americans Believe Eggnog Is No Stronger Than Low-Alcohol Beer.

Every December, Americans trade their usual drinks for something a little more “seasonal”—steaming mulled wines, cozy Irish coffees, spiked hot chocolates, and candy-cane martinis that feel far more innocent than they are.

But a new nationwide survey by Bisnar Chase, polling 2,002 adults (21+), reveals just how badly people underestimate the strength of these festive favorites.

Respondents were asked whether they consider a range of Christmas cocktails, including eggnog, mulled wine, and hot toddies, to be as strong as low-alcohol beer. The results were surprisingly clear: on average, 38% of Americans believe these holiday drinks are no stronger than low-alcohol beer.

When it comes to eggnogs specifically, 61% believe they are the same strength as light beer.

The wider data shows how deep the confusion runs:

• 20% believe holiday cocktails don’t count toward the drink-drive limit.
• 57% admit they have unknowingly drunk more at a holiday party because the drinks were “festive” or “didn’t taste strong.”
• 46% expect warm drinks (such as spiked hot chocolate, lattes, or mulled wine) to be weaker than cold cocktails.
• And when faced with a menu item called Santa’s Milkshake, almost half (48%) would assume it’s alcohol-free.

The misunderstandings don’t end there. When asked which Christmas cocktails they believed they could legally drive after having one:

• 23% chose spiked hot chocolate.
• 10% chose a sugar cookie martini.
• 7% chose a snowball cocktail.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 77% of Americans think restaurants and bars should label the alcohol strength of these drinks—a sign that people know they are operating with guesswork.

The findings reveal a cheerful yet risky blind spot. And behind all the cinnamon, whipped cream, and seasonal novelty lies a serious issue: misjudging holiday cocktails can quietly push people over the legal limit, exposing them to driving under the influence charges, license suspensions, and long-term financial consequences that last far beyond the holiday season.

“People don’t set out to break the law at Christmas; they simply underestimate what’s in the glass,” says nationally recognized attorney Brian Chase.

“Cocktails look festive and harmless, but their alcohol content doesn’t magically drop because it’s the holidays. Our concern is that this misunderstanding can put otherwise responsible people at serious legal and financial risk. A single misjudged drink can lead to a DUI, license suspension, and consequences that follow you long after the decorations come down.”