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Seven drinks to warm up at Christmas markets

The Local Germany
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Seven drinks to warm up at Christmas markets
Feuerzangenbowle - it's almost as fun to watch as it is to drink. Photo: DPA

Because there's way more to life than Glühwein.

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Let's face it: with most of Germany's Christmas markets running from late November until the big day, you'll probably end up visiting more than once.

So it's a good thing there are plenty of warm beverages around to keep you feeling festive.

Here are the top Christmassy drinks we'd recommend while you explore this year's markets - assuming you don't mind getting a bit tipsy, of course.

Glühwein

Photo: Hannah Butler

Many of us have guzzled too much of this stuff in Christmasses past.

But if the taste of Glühwein is starting to make you feel a bit nauseous, don't worry: a few quirky varieties have been hitting Christmas markets in recent years.

Orange or apple and cinnamon are popular variations. And if you're more of a white wine person? That's also cool. White Glühwein is a thing now. What a time to be alive. 

Glühwein mit Schuss

Photo: Valentos SG / Flickr Creative Commons

So you've been wandering around the market for a while. Your fingers are frozen, your head's buzzing and regular Glühwein just won't cut it any more. You need something that's really going to warm the soul.

Happily, most stalls also serve up the classic drink with a shot of rum or amaretto, usually only for €1 extra.

Eierpunsch

Photo: marcos ojeda / Flickr Creative Commons

Glühwein might be a rite of passage at the German Christmas markets - but once you've satisfied the annual urge, how about a glass of Eierpunsch?

Eierpunsch is a mix of egg yolks, sugar, white wine and vanilla. Sometimes with a shot of Eierlikör (egg liquor).

It sounds absolutely disgusting, we know. But hey: when in Germany...

DON'T MISS: Germany's 7 quirkiest Christmas markets

Glögg

Photo: Hannah Butler

What: drinking wine with vodka at 2pm isn't the norm back at home?

A Scandinavian creation, Glögg is fast becoming an institution at German Christmas markets.

It's often served with crushed almonds and raisins - and a bit of a kick.

Zimtlikör

Photo: Gourmandise / Flickr Creative Commons

Cinnamon liquor can be enjoyed all year round - but there's definitely something magical about sipping this Christmassy-spiced treat at a bustling market.

Zimtlikör is often mixed with fruit juices, tea, coffee - or even warm milk.

Feuerzangenbowle

Photo: DPA

"Feuerzange" are fire-tongs - a crucial tool when preparing this fiery Christmas drink.

To make Feuerzangenbowle, a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set alight and allowed to drip into a vat of mulled wine. 

The drink gave its name to the 1944 German cult comedy "Die Feuerzangenbowle," based on the 1933 novel by Heinrich Spoerl.

Glühbier

Photo: DPA

It's like the love-child of Germany's two most famous drinks.

Like Glühwein, this festive beer is served warm, and flavoured with Christmassy spices.

It's often mixed with cherry juice to give it that distinctive dark red hue.

Basically, it doesn't get much more German than this.

By Hannah Butler

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