Christmas in July, Done the Bundaberg Way: Your Menu

There’s something about July that just calls for a long, warm lunch. The mornings are frosty, the slow cooker is back on the bench and a table full of the people you love sounds like exactly the right idea. A summer Christmas will always be one of the best things about living here, but who says you only get one? Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to do it all again, this time with the weather to match.

This year, why not brew up your own menu? Every recipe below is made with a Bundaberg brew, from the glaze on the ham to the syrup on the pudding. Because our range of drinks are craft brewed over days, not hours, and they bring real depth of flavour to your cooking that an ordinary soft drink simply can’t match. Here’s how to build the whole feast, course by course, straight from our Brewed Food kitchen.

Start with a centrepiece worth carving

No Christmas table, July or otherwise, is complete without something glorious in the middle of it.

If you want the full festive effect, a glazed ham is the move. Our Ginger Beer Glazed Ham is the crowd-pleasing classic, with the warmth of brewed ginger caramelising into a sticky, glossy finish. Want a bit more bite? The Fiery Ginger Beer Christmas Ham turns the heat up a notch and proves you don’t need to wait until December to do ham properly.

Prefer something a little more old-school Aussie? You can’t go past Ginger Beer Silverside, where the brew works away at the beef until it’s fork-tender, or our Stovetop Corned Beef in Traditional Lemonade, a nostalgic favourite with a citrus twist your nan would approve of.

And if your Christmas in July is more backyard than banquet, Ginger Beer Can Chicken keeps things relaxed while still delivering juicy, flavour-packed results.

Or go low and slow

Winter was made for braising, and our brews were made for the braising pot.

Braised Beef Cheeks in Sarsaparilla is the kind of dish that fills the whole house with a rich, dark aroma while it bubbles away. The sarsaparilla brings a subtle sweetness and depth that turns a humble cut into something special. For a heartier crowd, Ginger Beer Braised Beef Ribs with Mushrooms delivers fall-off-the-bone comfort with a gentle ginger warmth running through every mouthful.

Don’t skimp on the sides

The supporting cast matters. A round of Ginger Beer Damper, warm from the oven and torn at the table, is about as Australian as a side dish gets. And our Sweet Potato & Ginger Beer Casserole brings a golden, slightly caramelised sweetness that sits perfectly next to ham or beef.

Hosting a smaller, more casual afternoon instead? Put on a winter high tea with Ginger Beer Scones or their zesty cousins, Lemon, Lime & Bitters Scones, served with jam, cream and a chilled brew on the side.

The dessert table is the main event

We all know the truth about Christmas lunch: it’s really just the lead-up to dessert. This is where the Bundaberg recipe collection truly shines.

Feeding a crowd? Mini Sticky Date Ginger Puddings give everyone their own little parcel of joy, ready in under an hour all up.

A trifle is non-negotiable at any Australian Christmas, so our Passionfruit Trifles earn their place on the table, with layers of tang and cream brightened by brewed passionfruit.

Want a showstopper? Bring back the retro icon. The Ginger Beer Bombe Alaska is pure theatre, torched meringue and all, and guaranteed to get the table talking. Keep the kids busy before lunch with a batch of Ginger Beer Gingerbread Men, then finish the day on a homely note with a bubbling Peach Burgundee Crumble straight from the oven.

A few brewed hosting tips

Cook with what you pour. If the ham is glazed in Ginger Beer, pop a few chilled stubbies of the same brew on the table. The flavours tie the whole meal together, and because every Bundaberg brew is non-alcoholic, everyone from the kids to the designated drivers gets to join in.

Get ahead of yourself. Braises like the beef cheeks and ribs taste even better made the day before, and puddings reheat beautifully. Christmas in July should be slow in the pot, not stressful in the kitchen.

Stock the esky. Make sure you’ve got enough brews for cooking and for drinking. You can find your favourites here before the big day.

Over to you, Brew Crew

That’s a full Christmas in July menu, brewed from start to finish. Got your own family recipe that deserves a spot in the collection? We’d love to see it. Submit your recipe and you might just see it on the Brewed Food page, or head back to the full Brewed Food library for even more ways to cook with your favourite brew.

Merry Christmas in July. May your ham be sticky, your pudding be warm and your brews be cold.