Mulled Wine and Drinks at the German and Austrian European Christmas Markets
- Lindsey Markwood
- Nov 30, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 28
Beyond the handcrafted souvenirs, the true heart of the Christmas Markets is found in the stalls serving food and drinks. One of my favorite tips is to try at least one drink item per Christmas Market you experience. Preferably not a drink that you can easily get back at home. It is a great way to experience and connect with the local culture.
What to Know About Glühwein (Mulled Wine)
The undisputed star of the Christmas Markets is Glühwein (mulled wine). It is a steaming blend of red wine and aromatic festive spices like oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Yes, it might sound unconventional to drink wine warm if you are not used to it, but I urge you to try it. It is truly delicious and the perfect way to beat the colder weather outside. You might even come back with a new favorite drink!
While red is the classic choice for mulled wine, you will often find white mulled wine as an alternative. For an extra kick, do as the locals do and order your drink 'mit Schuss' which means adding a shot of liquor. A local favorite is to add almond liqueur, known as Amaretto-Glühwein. Other options can include rum or brandy. If you are lucky, you might be in for a treat by finding a stall run by a local winery which uses wine made directly from the grapes in their vineyard.
How the Christmas Market Mug Deposit (Pfand) Works
When you order your drink, do not be alarmed if the price seems higher than expected. This is because you are paying a deposit, aka Pfand, for the mug itself. This deposit system is a standard part of daily life in German speaking countries. There are two options you have. You can keep the mug as a souvenir or you can return the mug to get the deposit back. Most tourists will keep the mug and Markwood Magic recommends this as well. The mugs will vary in design across the Christmas Markets in different cities. As a bonus, most Christmas Markets mug you can take home becomes a great souvenir and you think about your time in Europe every time you drink out of it or display it on the shelf.
Delicious Non-Alcoholic Drink Alternatives
If you do not drink alcohol, there are a few alternatives. The hot chocolate alternative is called Heiße Schokolade. It is typically made of a high quality chocolate. Another alternative is a spiced fruit punch affectionately referred to as Kinderpunsch and is made with a blend of hibiscus tea, cherry or apple juice plus the spices used in a traditional mulled wine.
Planning Your European Christmas Market River Cruise
The next question is which Christmas Markets should you experience during your European Adventure? Markwood Magic will curate the perfect itinerary with plenty of time to spend in the Christmas Markets. The aim is to reduce the stress of planning your European adventure and make sure the trip is customized to both you and your travel party. We can do both land only tours or my favorite way to explore Europe, as part of European River Cruise. Looking forward to connecting soon travelers!
