For many years one of the fruitcake’s chief attractions was its alcohol content. Bakery chefs and home cooks alike would infuse the fruitcake’s recipe with a little rum or brandy. The alcohol, so the belief went, would help spice up the flavors already and make the cold winter temperatures of the holidays a little easier to bear.

But times changes, and now many people no long pursue the high-drinking lifestyle of times past. In fact at many holiday celebrations the teetotalers outnumber the drinkers, whether they’re choosing not to drink as part of a healthy lifestyle or simply serving as designated driver for the evening.

The modern fruitcake, filled with delicious fruit and nut flavors, doesn’t need alcohol to impress guests and party goers. Holiday fruitcake, especially Christmas fruitcake, is made to have as many flavors as possible, flavors that might even become submerged under the bitter tang of a shot of rum or brandy. It’s safe to say that giving the Christmas fruitcake alcohol is almost doing it a disservice, as much rich flavorful potential is already present in its gourmet ingredients.
Fruitcake is a great companion to many other beverages.

Besides boozing up the fruitcake, there are any number of ways that those fond of holiday spirits can enjoy the two together. For example, fruitcake would make a delicious compliment to a hot mug of coffee spiked with a little whiskey. Alternately, fruitcake would go delightfully well with egg nog, whether of the spiked or “virgin” variety.

For teetotalers, fruitcake also goes well with any number of gourmet and specialty coffees, especially lattes and café au lait type beverages. The fruits and nuts, and the rich fruitcake flavoring, will create a delightful contrast to the coffee’s aggressive tastes. Fruitcake serves any number of dining purposes.

Besides its traditional role of holiday gift or dessert, the fruitcake takes a natural and flavorful place at any tea social, office holiday celebration, as well as even the most casual get-together. Fruitcakes store very well, too, so they’re also appropriate for New Year’s celebrations and end of the year birthday parties, again with or without alcohol.

Fruitcake bakeries most commonly sell, package, and ship holiday fruitcakes without the alcohol added, meaning they’re ready to eat as soon as they arrive. Of course, those wishing to spike the fruitcake can still do so themselves.