Looking to add a little extra spin to your Hanukkah celebrations? Enter the dreidel drinking game, where tradition meets spirited fun (pun fully intended). The humble dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters, has been a beloved part of Hanukkah for generations. But who says you can’t enjoy a grown-up twist on this classic game?
Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or just looking for an excuse to sip and laugh with friends, this guide will teach you everything you need to know to turn a simple dreidel into the life of the party. So grab your dreidel, pour a drink, and let’s get ready to spin, sip, and celebrate!
Table of Contents
What Is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BCE. The holiday celebrates the miraculous events that occurred during the Maccabean Revolt, a time when the Jewish people fought for their religious freedom against the Seleucid Empire.
Key Elements of Hanukkah
1. The Miracle of the Oil
At the heart of Hanukkah is the story of a miracle. When the Maccabees reclaimed and rededicated the Second Temple, they found only a small amount of oil—enough to light the temple’s menorah (a candelabra) for just one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, providing time to prepare a fresh supply of consecrated oil.
2. The Lighting of the Menorah
- Each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit on the menorah, culminating in all eight candles glowing on the final night.
- A ninth candle, called the shamash (helper), is used to light the others.
3. Traditional Foods
Hanukkah is famous for its fried foods, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. Popular dishes include:
- Latkes: Fried potato pancakes.
- Sufganiyot: Jelly-filled donuts.

4. Dreidel Game
The dreidel, a spinning top with four Hebrew letters (Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin), is used in a traditional game played for coins, chocolate gelt, or small treats.
5. Family and Community
Hanukkah is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing meals, singing songs, and retelling the story of the Maccabees.
What Is a Dreidel Drinking Game?
The dreidel is more than just a spinning top; it’s a cultural symbol with deep roots in Jewish history. Traditionally, it’s used in a simple gambling game played with chocolate coins or “gelt.” Each of the four sides has a Hebrew letter: Nun (נ), Gimel (ג), Hey (ה), and Shin (ש), which together stand for “Nes gadol haya sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened there.”
But here’s where things get festive! In the dreidel drinking game, these letters determine who drinks, how much, and sometimes even what type of drink. The result? A lively, laughter-filled way to connect with friends and family during Hanukkah.

How to Play the Dreidel Drinking Game
What You’ll Need
- A dreidel (or several if you’re playing with a large group).
- Drinks of your choice—cocktails, wine, or even non-alcoholic options.
- Optional: Dreidel-themed shot glasses or festive cups for extra flair.
Basic Rules for Beginners
- Gather everyone in a circle.
- Take turns spinning the dreidel and follow these instructions based on the side it lands on:
- Nun (נ): Do nothing. You’re safe!
- Gimel (ג): Everyone takes a drink. Cheers!
- Hey (ה): choose somebody else to take a drink.
- Shin (ש): You take a full drink.
- Repeat until the laughter drowns out the rules.
Advanced Rules for Pros
- Double Spins: If someone lands on Gimel twice in a row, they can choose a “dreidel task” for another player, such as singing a Hanukkah song.
- The “Shin Shot” Rule: Every time someone lands on Shin, they take an additional spin. If it’s Shin again—brace yourself!
- Group Gelt Challenge: Toss chocolate gelt into the pot, and the winner of a Gimel gets it all.
Dreidel Drinking Game House Rules
- Spin and Swap: Land on Hey, and you swap drinks with someone else.
- Double Trouble: Use two dreidels simultaneously to double the stakes.
- Gelt Roulette: Assign drinks to chocolate gelt pieces and match them to dreidel results.
- Team Spins: Split into teams. The first team to land on Gimel three times wins, and the losers drink!
- Mystery Drinks: Each letter corresponds to a surprise drink—keep the choices hidden for added excitement.
Wild and Creative Variations for the Dreidel Drinking Game
Here’s a lineup of innovative and hilariously fun dreidel drinking game variations to elevate your Hanukkah party and ensure it’s a night to remember:
1. Dreidel Karaoke
- If someone lands on Hey, they have to sing a line from a Hanukkah song (or any holiday song) before taking a sip.
- Land on Gimel, and you pick another player to sing the next line.
- Bonus Challenge: For Shin, the player must make up their own Hanukkah-themed verse while drinking!
This game combines holiday cheer with off-key hilarity, guaranteed to have everyone laughing.
2. Spin or Sprint
- If you land on Nun, instead of sitting safe, you have to do a quick physical challenge like running in place for 30 seconds, spinning around three times, or a short dash across the room.
- Land on Shin, and it’s a “spin-and-sprint combo” (spin yourself until you’re dizzy and then attempt the challenge).
This game adds a physical twist to the game and keeps the energy up, especially after a few rounds of drinks.
3. Dreidel Charades
- Landing on Nun allows you to skip charades, but Hey, Shin, or Gimel requires you to act out a Hanukkah or random phrase while everyone else guesses.
- Guessers drink for every wrong guess; if no one guesses correctly, the actor drinks.
This game combines classic charades with the chaos of a drinking game—extra fun after a few rounds.
4. Gelt Heist
- Use chocolate gelt or other small tokens to “bet” during the game.
- Land on Gimel, and you “steal” gelt from everyone else’s pile.
- If someone lands on Shin, they must take a drink and give away one piece of gelt.
- At the end of the game, the player with the most gelt can trade it for a “prize,” such as choosing who takes a big final drink or assigning a group challenge.
This game Combines competition and strategy with drinks, keeping everyone on their toes.
5. Mystery Box Spins
- Prepare a “mystery box” with random items (funny hats, props, or even mystery drinks).
- Land on Hey, and you have to pick something from the mystery box.
- For Gimel, assign an item from the box to another player, and they have to wear it or use it for the rest of the game.
- Land on Shin, and you must drink while wearing the silliest item from the box.
The absurdity of people wearing goofy props while drinking makes the night unforgettable.
6. The Hanukkah Spin-Off
- Each player takes turns trying to spin the dreidel for as long as possible.
- The player with the shortest spin time must take a drink.
- Bonus Challenge: Try spinning on unusual surfaces (like the back of your hand or someone’s head).
It’s a competitive twist that gets progressively harder as the drinks flow.
7. Drunken Latke Chef
- Land on Gimel, and you must “pretend” to make a latke recipe while everyone else drinks.
- Land on Shin, and you describe a ridiculous way to cook latkes while drinking.
The absurd “recipes” and wild improvisation will leave everyone in stitches.
8. Blow Out or Bottoms Up
How to Play
- Set up a menorah (real or battery-powered for safety) with candles (real or symbolic).
- Players take turns spinning the dreidel. Based on their spin:
- Nun: You’re safe, no action needed.
- Gimel: Choose one candle and try to blow it out in a single breath. Fail? Take a drink!
- Hey: You must blow out two candles in one breath! Fail? Take half a drink.
- Shin: You’re the “candle-keeper”—relight all blown-out candles and take a drink while you do.
Bonus Rules
- Candle Challenges: If someone consistently lands on Shin, they must complete a quirky dare while relighting (e.g., relight with one eye closed or while standing on one foot).
- Final Round: Whoever blows out the most candles successfully by the end of the game wins a title like “Hanukkah Hurricane.”
This game turns candle-blowing into a competitive and hilarious activity, with increasing difficulty (and hilarity) as the drinks kick in. Plus, it keeps the Hanukkah theme front and center in a uniquely interactive way!

How to Deck Out Your Hanukkah Gatherings
Transform your Hanukkah gathering into the ultimate party zone with some creative and budget-friendly DIY dreidel-themed decorations. Whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together or a full-on rager, these ideas will elevate the atmosphere and make your party Instagram-worthy.
DIY Dreidel Crafts
- Custom Painted Dreidels
- Grab some wooden dreidels and paint them in festive colors like blue, white, and gold.
- Add glitter, stickers, or even guests’ names for personalized party favors.
- Giant Dreidel Prop
- Create a massive dreidel out of cardboard boxes for a fun photo booth backdrop.
- Add twinkling fairy lights or LED strips for extra pizzazz.
- Dreidel Garland
- Cut out dreidel shapes from colored cardstock and string them together.
- Hang them across doorways or the party table for a festive touch.
Themed Shot Glasses
- Use clear shot glasses and add dreidel stickers or paint the Hebrew letters with glass-safe markers.
- Create a set of custom shot glasses with sayings like “Spin and Sip” or “L’chaim and Let’s Go!”
Hanukkah Table Décor
- Gelt Centerpieces: Fill clear vases with chocolate gelt and fairy lights for glowing table decorations.
- Menorah Ice Cubes: Freeze blue and white food-dyed water into menorah-shaped silicone molds for a fun drink addition.
- Latke Placemats: Use playful Hanukkah-themed placemats to add personality to the food table.
Game-Ready Setup
- Dreidel Scoreboard
- Set up a chalkboard or whiteboard to track everyone’s spins and antics.
- The “Thirsty Spinner Crown”
- Create a goofy crown for the player who lands on Shin the most—think Hanukkah candles on a headband!
These DIY touches add personality, humor, and charm to your dreidel drinking game party. Plus, they’ll leave your guests talking about it long after the candles burn out.

Dreidel Games for All Ages: Family-Friendly Alternatives
If your Hanukkah gathering includes kids, teens, or those who don’t drink, don’t leave them out of the fun! Here are creative alternatives to adapt the dreidel drinking game for a crowd of all ages.
Non-Alcoholic Dreidel Drinking Game
- Instead of alcohol, use juice, soda, or sparkling cider for spins.
- Younger players can sip water or milk (perfect with sufganiyot).
- Make it silly: Landing on Shin could mean doing a wacky dance, while Gimel earns a loud cheer.
Candy Dreidel Game
- Replace drinks with candy (gelt, jellybeans, or chocolate coins).
- Adjust the rules:
- Nun: No candy for you.
- Gimel: Take candy from the pot.
- Hey: Take half the pot.
- Shin: Add one of your candies back to the pot.
Storytelling Dreidel
- Each letter corresponds to a storytelling challenge:
- Nun: Skip your turn.
- Gimel: Share your favorite Hanukkah memory.
- Hey: Tell a funny holiday story.
- Shin: Make up a silly Hanukkah tale on the spot.
- This game sparks creativity and laughter while celebrating the holiday’s spirit.
Craft & Spin
- Combine dreidel spins with crafting fun:
- Players take turns spinning the dreidel, and every spin corresponds to a craft task (e.g., painting a dreidel, decorating a menorah).
- Whoever finishes the most creative craft by the end wins!
Dreidel Olympics
- Create a series of silly dreidel-based challenges for the whole group:
- Longest spin wins gold.
- Most unique spinning technique (think spinning on your head or balancing on a spoon).
- Team relay races using dreidels.
These family-friendly adaptations keep everyone entertained and engaged, ensuring that no one feels left out of the Hanukkah fun. Whether it’s candy, crafts, or creative storytelling, these ideas bring the holiday spirit to all ages.
The dreidel drinking game is the perfect blend of tradition, laughter, and a little lighthearted mischief. Whether you’re sipping on wine or mocktails, it’s all about creating joyful memories with loved ones. So this Hanukkah, give the dreidel a whirl and see where the spin takes you—just don’t forget to toast to the miracles of the season. L’chaim!