Trying to find drinks that start with X can feel like scraping the bottom of the alphabet barrel. It is one of the trickiest letters for food and drink lists, especially if you are after real examples rather than made-up names.

The good news is that X does have some genuinely interesting drinks attached to it. Some are everyday drinks with names from other languages, such as xigua juice, while others are wines, liqueurs, teas and classic cocktails. A few are niche, but they are still useful if you are doing an alphabet challenge, a quiz, a themed party, a school project, or simply fancy trying something new without spending a fortune.

Here is a practical guide to drinks beginning with X, with notes on taste, where you might find them, and cheaper swaps where possible.

Drinks That Start With X: Quick List

If you just need ideas quickly, here are some of the best-known X drinks:

• Xigua juice – watermelon juice, using the Chinese word for watermelon.
• Xocolatl – an early cacao drink linked with Mesoamerican traditions.
• Xinomavro wine – a Greek red wine made from the Xinomavro grape.
• Xarel-lo wine – wine made with the Spanish Xarel-lo grape, often used in Cava.
• Xérès – the French name for sherry from Jerez.
• Xiang pian tea – jasmine-scented tea, often made with green tea.
• Xtabentun – a Mexican anise and honey liqueur from the Yucatán.
• Xuixo coffee pairing – not technically a drink, but often searched due to the Catalan pastry xuixo; best paired with coffee.
• Xanthia cocktail – a vintage-style cocktail made with gin, cherry brandy and yellow Chartreuse.
• XYZ cocktail – a simple cocktail usually made with rum, triple sec and lemon juice.
• Xavier cocktail – a creamy cocktail often made with brandy or cognac and coffee liqueur.
• Xalapa punch – an old-fashioned punch associated with rum, brandy, tea and citrus.
• XUXU – a strawberry liqueur brand from Germany.

Table of X Drinks and What They Are

1. Xigua Juice

Xigua is the Mandarin Chinese word for watermelon, so xigua juice is simply watermelon juice. It is one of the easiest drinks beginning with X to make at home, and it is brilliant for using up watermelon that is slightly past its best but still perfectly safe to eat.

The flavour is light, sweet and refreshing. It is especially good chilled with lime, mint or a little ginger. If your watermelon is not very sweet, a squeeze of orange juice can help lift it without needing lots of added sugar.

Money-saving tip

Look for reduced watermelon fingers, cubes or halves in the supermarket. Blend them and strain if you prefer a smoother drink. You can also freeze watermelon chunks for later, then blend from frozen for a slushy-style drink.

2. Xocolatl

Xocolatl is often used to describe an early form of drinking chocolate associated with cacao, water and spices. It is not the same as a modern sweet hot chocolate piled with cream and marshmallows. Traditional-style versions are usually more bitter, earthy and spiced.

At home, you can make a simple version using cocoa powder, hot water or milk, cinnamon and a tiny pinch of chilli. It is a good choice if you want a drink that starts with X but uses ingredients you may already have in the cupboard.

Cheap homemade xocolatl-style drink

• Heat 250ml milk, oat milk or water in a small pan.
• Whisk in 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon and the tiniest pinch of chilli.
• Sweeten to taste with sugar, honey or syrup.
• Whisk until smooth and serve warm.

For a richer drink, use milk. For a more intense, bitter version, use mostly water and less sweetener.

3. Xinomavro Wine

Xinomavro is a Greek red grape variety. The name is often translated as sour black, which gives you a clue about its style. Xinomavro wines can be dry, savoury and structured, with noticeable acidity and flavours that may include red fruit, tomato, spice or herbs.

It is a good one to know if you are looking for alcoholic drinks that start with X. You are more likely to find it in wine shops, larger supermarkets, Greek restaurants or online wine retailers than in a small corner shop.

What to eat with Xinomavro

Xinomavro can work well with tomato-based dishes, grilled meats, lamb, roasted vegetables and dishes with herbs. For a cheaper meal pairing, try it with pasta in tomato sauce, veggie moussaka, or a reduced-price roast dinner.

4. Xarel-lo Wine

Xarel-lo is a white grape variety from Spain, best known as one of the grapes used in Cava. It can also be made as a still white wine. The flavour is often crisp and fresh, with citrus, apple, herb or mineral notes depending on the bottle.

If you are searching for drinks that begin with X for a party, Cava made with Xarel-lo is usually much easier to find than a still Xarel-lo wine. Check the label on Spanish sparkling wines; you may see Xarel-lo listed alongside Macabeo and Parellada.

Money-saving tip

For a budget-friendly X drink, choose an affordable Cava rather than hunting down a specialist bottle. Supermarket own-label Cava can be decent value, especially when chilled properly and served with nibbles.

5. Xérès

Xérès is the French word for sherry, the fortified wine from Jerez in Spain. This makes it a useful entry for X alphabet food and drink lists, although you may see it more often on French labels or menus.

Sherry comes in several styles. Fino and manzanilla are pale, dry and nutty. Amontillado is deeper and more complex. Oloroso is richer. Cream sherry and Pedro Ximénez are sweet, dark and often served with desserts.

How to use sherry without wasting it

• Serve dry sherry well chilled with olives, almonds or crisps.
• Add a splash of dry sherry to soups, sauces or mushrooms.
• Pour sweet sherry over vanilla ice cream for a quick pudding.
• Keep opened bottles sealed and chilled where appropriate, and use them within the guidance on the label.

6. Xiang Pian Tea

Xiang pian is a term often associated with jasmine tea, particularly jasmine-scented green tea. It is fragrant, floral and gentle, and it makes a lovely non-alcoholic drink beginning with X.

Jasmine tea can be served hot or cold. For a cold version, brew it a little stronger than usual, let it cool, then pour over ice. Add lemon if you like a sharper flavour.

Budget tip

Tea bags are convenient, but loose-leaf jasmine tea can work out cheaper per cup if you drink it regularly. You can often re-steep good loose leaves once or twice, which stretches the cost further.

7. Xtabentun

Xtabentun is a Mexican liqueur from the Yucatán, traditionally associated with honey and anise flavours. It is sweet, aromatic and distinctive. It can be sipped, served over ice, mixed into cocktails or used in desserts.

This is not the cheapest bottle to buy on a whim, especially in the UK where it may be more of a specialist item. If you are putting together an X-themed drinks night, it is certainly interesting, but it is worth checking that you enjoy aniseed flavours before buying.

How to use it economically

• Serve small measures over ice rather than large pours.
• Use a splash in coffee or hot chocolate.
• Drizzle a little over pancakes, fruit or ice cream.
• Share the cost with friends if it is for a themed evening.

8. XYZ Cocktail

The XYZ cocktail is a simple classic-style cocktail usually made with white rum, triple sec and lemon juice. It is similar in spirit to a daiquiri or sidecar-style drink: citrusy, bright and fairly strong.

A typical version uses equal parts rum, orange liqueur and lemon juice, shaken with ice and strained into a glass. Some versions adjust the lemon or liqueur to taste.

Cheap cocktail tip

You do not need premium spirits for a mixed drink with citrus. A decent supermarket rum and own-brand triple sec will usually do the job. Fresh lemon juice tastes better than bottled, but reduced lemons are perfect if you spot them.

9. Xanthia Cocktail

The Xanthia cocktail is a stronger, more specialist drink made with gin, cherry brandy and yellow Chartreuse. It has a herbal, sweet and cherry-led flavour. It is an interesting one for cocktail fans, but not the most budget-friendly option if you need to buy every bottle from scratch.

If you already have the ingredients, it is a fun drink to add to an alphabet cocktail list. If not, consider making a cheaper cherry gin sour instead and saving the Xanthia for a bar that stocks the proper ingredients.

10. Xavier Cocktail

A Xavier cocktail is usually a creamy drink, often made with brandy or cognac, coffee liqueur and cream. Recipes vary, but it tends to sit in the after-dinner drink category.

It is rich rather than refreshing, so a small serving is enough. If you are trying to keep costs down, brandy is usually cheaper than cognac and works well in mixed drinks.

Lower-cost serving idea

Serve a small creamy cocktail in a little glass with a few reduced-price chocolates or biscuits. It feels like a pudding without needing to make a full dessert.

11. Xalapa Punch

Xalapa punch is an old-fashioned punch name linked with mixtures of spirits, tea, citrus and sugar. You may see different spellings and recipes, but it is generally a party-style drink rather than something you would order every day.

Punch can be economical because it stretches stronger ingredients with tea, juice, citrus and ice. That said, it is easy to overdo the alcohol without noticing, so label it clearly at parties and offer a non-alcoholic option too.

Budget hosting tip

If you are making punch, use one good flavour base such as strong black tea, citrus peel or fresh lemon juice. That gives the drink character without needing lots of expensive spirits.

12. XUXU Strawberry Liqueur

XUXU is a strawberry liqueur brand. It is sweet, fruity and bright, often used in simple cocktails, sparkling wine drinks or dessert-style serves. As it is a brand name rather than a generic drink, availability and price can vary.

If you only need a drink beginning with X for a quiz or party list, XUXU is a handy answer. If you are shopping on a tight budget, compare it with other strawberry liqueurs or make a strawberry syrup for non-alcoholic drinks instead.

Easy Homemade Xigua Cooler

This simple watermelon drink is the most practical X drink to make at home. It is cheap, quick and ideal for using up reduced fruit.

Ingredients

• 500g watermelon flesh, seeds removed if needed
• Juice of 1 lime or half a lemon
• A few mint leaves, optional
• Ice, to serve
• A little sugar, honey or syrup, optional

Equipment

• Blender
• Knife and chopping board
• Sieve, optional
• Jug and glasses

Method

1. Chop the watermelon into chunks.
2. Add the watermelon, lime or lemon juice and mint to a blender.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Taste and add a little sweetener only if needed.
5. Strain through a sieve if you want a smoother drink.
6. Serve over ice.

Storage Tips

Keep homemade watermelon juice covered in the fridge and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavour. Stir before serving, as it may separate. Do not leave it sitting out at room temperature for long periods, especially in warm weather.

Variations

• Ginger xigua cooler: add a small slice of fresh ginger before blending.
• Sparkling xigua drink: top up with sparkling water.
• Frozen xigua slush: use frozen watermelon chunks and blend with a splash of water.
• Herby version: swap mint for basil.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with brunch, barbecues, spicy food or picnic snacks. It also works well as a non-alcoholic party drink in a big jug with plenty of ice and lime slices.

Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks That Start With X

If you are avoiding alcohol, the easiest X drinks are:

• Xigua juice – fresh watermelon juice.
• Xocolatl – a cacao-based drink that can be made with milk or water.
• Xiang pian tea – jasmine tea, served hot or iced.
• Xigua cooler – watermelon blended with citrus and mint.
• Xocolatl-style iced chocolate – cocoa, milk, cinnamon and ice.

These are also the cheapest options, as they use supermarket ingredients rather than specialist bottles.

Best Alcoholic Drinks That Start With X

For adults looking for alcoholic drinks beginning with X, try:

• Xinomavro – Greek red wine.
• Xarel-lo – Spanish white wine grape, often found in Cava.
• Xérès – sherry.
• Xtabentun – Mexican honey and anise liqueur.
• XYZ cocktail – rum, triple sec and lemon.
• Xanthia cocktail – gin, cherry brandy and yellow Chartreuse.
• Xavier cocktail – a creamy brandy and coffee liqueur drink.
• Xalapa punch – a punch-style mixed drink.
• XUXU – strawberry liqueur.

Drink responsibly, serve food alongside alcohol, and provide soft drinks or water when hosting.

How to Try X Drinks on a Budget

Some X drinks are niche, but you do not need to spend heavily to enjoy the theme.

• Start with homemade options: xigua juice and xocolatl are inexpensive and easy.
• Check reduced fruit first: watermelon, lemons and limes often appear in yellow-sticker sections.
• Use what you already have: cocoa powder, tea, spices and citrus can cover several X-themed drinks.
• Buy one specialist item only: if hosting an alphabet night, choose either Xinomavro, Cava with Xarel-lo, or Xtabentun rather than all three.
• Share bottles: split the cost with friends if you are buying unusual liqueurs.
• Make smaller serves: tasting portions are ideal for alphabet food nights and reduce waste.

FAQs About Drinks That Start With X

What is a drink that starts with X?

Xigua juice is one of the easiest drinks that starts with X. It is watermelon juice, using the Mandarin Chinese word for watermelon.

Are there any alcoholic drinks beginning with X?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks that begin with X include Xinomavro wine, Xarel-lo wine, Xérès sherry, Xtabentun liqueur, XYZ cocktail, Xanthia cocktail and Xavier cocktail.

What soft drinks start with X?

The best soft drinks starting with X are xigua juice, xigua cooler, xocolatl-style drinking chocolate and xiang pian tea. These are all easy to make or find without buying alcohol.

Is xocolatl the same as hot chocolate?

Not exactly. Xocolatl refers to an older cacao-based drink that is usually more bitter and spiced than modern sweet hot chocolate. A homemade xocolatl-style drink can be made with cocoa, cinnamon, chilli and milk or water.

What does Xinomavro wine taste like?

Xinomavro is usually a dry Greek red wine with bright acidity and savoury flavours. Depending on the bottle, it may have notes of red fruit, herbs, spice or tomato.

What is the cheapest drink beginning with X to make at home?

Xigua juice is probably the cheapest if you find reduced watermelon. Xiang pian tea is also good value, especially if you buy loose-leaf jasmine tea and brew more than one cup from the leaves.

Can I serve X drinks at an alphabet party?

Yes. A good mix would be xigua juice for a soft drink, xocolatl for something warm, Cava containing Xarel-lo for fizz, and an XYZ cocktail for a simple alcoholic option.

Where can I buy drinks that start with X in the UK?

Xigua juice is best made at home. Xarel-lo is often found in Cava from supermarkets. Xinomavro may be available in larger supermarkets, wine shops or online. Xtabentun and XUXU are more specialist and are usually easier to find online or in well-stocked drinks shops.