Holiday Countdown Home

Holiday Countdown

Day 7: Drinks

  Author: Maeghan O’Conner is a graduate student of history and a Museum Advisory Council member.

Many cultures, including American, have a distinctive drink (or drinks) that makes them think of festive holidays with their family. For my family, these drinks tend to be hot chocolate or eggnog. If my family were from the UK, they might drink Wassail. French, and they would drink a Kir Royale. Puerto Rican, and the drink would be an eggnog-like drink called Coquito.

However, a new tradition that my family (specifically, my husband, cat Louie, and I) have borrowed from another culture comes in the form of a special mulled wine from Germany: Glühwein!

We experienced this delightful holiday drink made from wine and spices, served warm, while on our honeymoon in Germany a few years ago. Anytime either of us smells mulled wine of any variety, we are instantly transported back to the cold, snowy Christmas markets in Berlin – including a sudden craving for currywurst!

This drink was so warming and delightful on a cold night, and still to this day serves as a warm pick-me-up in the winter for the body and soul. It can be enjoyed in its alcoholic variety, as well as in a kid-friendly version that I will also leave a recipe for. This holiday, feel free to make this wonderful German variation of a holiday classic to share with your family, as I will be doing for mine.

Two mugs of a brown drink on a table with a package of crackers next to them and a chair behind the table.
Two drinks in a festive "Frohe Weihnachten" glasses set on a table with a crowd of people behind it.

P.S. Don’t worry, Mr. Louie does not get any of the Glühwein!

A black and white cat in the foreground with a decorated Christmas tree and tv in the background.

Recipes

From https://www.wanderingermany.com/

Glühwein:

Ingredients

  • 5 Cups Red Wine (see notes below)
  • 1 3/4 Cups Port Wine
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • Peel from 2 Oranges
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 10 Cardamom Pods
  • 10 Cloves
  • 1 Cup Brandy, Aquavit, Vodka, or Cognac
  • Optional: Raisins and Chopped Almonds

Instructions

  • Combine the wine and port with the sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
  • Put the orange peel and spices in a cheesecloth bag and add to the warmed wine
  • Simmer the spices and wine mixture for 20 minutes *DO not let it boil!
  • Add brandy or preferred liquor and barely simmer for 5 minutes
  • Remove the spices by with a strainer or remove the spice bag
  • Optional: Sprinkle your mug with a few raisins and almond slivers
  • Keep Glühwein warm for continued serving

Notes

  • Do not let your Glühwein come to a boil at any time

Kinderpunsch:

Ingredients

  • 4 bags of hibiscus tea
  • 5 cups orange juice
  • 5 cups apple juice
  • 3/4 cup cherry or grape juice (can substitute more orange or apple juice)
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise
  • Honey or Sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Place ALL the ingredients except for the honey (or sugar) and tea bags into a pot and bring to a high simmer
  • While the Kinderpunsch is heating, brew the Hibiscus tea bags in 2 cups of boiled water and let steep
  • After heating up, turn the punch to low and add in the tea and let the entire pot steep on low for at least one hour
  • Start with 1 TBS of honey or sweetener and add more to taste