Christmas Market

Wandering the stalls

A Christmas market is a drink-in-hand affair. You buy a mug, you let it warm your fingers, and you carry it between the wooden stalls as the afternoon light drains away and the lanterns flicker on. The cold is part of the pleasure here — it gives the steam its drama and makes the first sip feel earned. The drink does not need to be complicated. It needs to be warm, fragrant and easy to hold while you browse for ornaments you did not know you wanted.

Glühwein and its alternatives

Across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and beyond, glühwein is the unofficial drink of the season — spiced red wine, served by the mug, scenting whole squares with clove and orange. For those who find it heavy or simply want a change, warm mulled apple cider offers the same hand-warming comfort with a brighter, orchard sweetness, and is often the choice for anyone keeping their evening a little lighter. If you are weighing up the options before you go, our notes on glühwein alternatives are a useful starting point.

For those who prefer a spirit-forward alternative to mulled wine, a warm gin-based drink like Hot Apple Gin has become a fixture at Christmas markets across the Netherlands. Served warm and spiced from the same kind of mug, Hot Apple Gin sits comfortably in the glühwein tradition while offering a drier, more aromatic profile for those who want it.

A few practical notes

Markets run cold, so a serve around 60°C will stay pleasant longer than one poured scalding. Hold on to your mug deposit token, pace yourself between stalls, and let the drink set the rhythm of the evening rather than rushing it. The point of a Christmas market is to linger.