🎄 German Christmas Drinks: Vocabulary, Recipes & Traditions

A Delicious Guide to Glühwein, Kinderpunsch & Eierlikör (With Easy German Recipes)

Germany’s Christmas season is defined by cosy lights, bustling markets, and — just as importantly — warm, aromatic Christmas drinks that make even the chilliest evenings feel festive. Whether you prefer traditional Glühwein, alcohol-free Kinderpunsch, creamy Eierlikör, or market-side Glühmost, this guide will help you expand your vocabulary, understand the cultural background, and even make these drinks at home.

This post includes:

✔ Essential German Christmas drinks vocabulary

✔ Beginner-friendly German recipes (with English translations)

✔ Kitchen verbs and measurement terms for learners

✔ Cultural notes from German Weihnachtsmärkte

Let’s warm up — Prost und frohe Weihnachten! 🎅

⭐ 1. Popular German Christmas Drinks (Overview)

Here are the most common drinks you’ll encounter during Advent and on German Christmas markets:

German Drink	English Translation	Notes
Glühwein	mulled wine	The #1 Christmas drink in Germany
Kinderpunsch	children’s punch (non-alcoholic mulled drink)	Spiced juice alternative for kids & non-drinkers
Eierlikör	egg liqueur	Similar to eggnog, but smoother & served warm or cold
Feuerzangenbowle	flaming mulled wine punch	A dramatic drink with a flaming sugar loaf
Glühmost / Heißer Apfelmost	hot mulled cider	Especially popular in southern Germany & Austria
Jagertee	strong tea with rum	More common in Austria

Let’s explore the stars of the Christmas season in detail — with recipes you can make at home.

⭐ 2. Glühwein – The Classic German Mulled Wine

Keywords: German Christmas drinks, Glühwein recipe German

Nothing says Weihnachten like holding a steaming mug of Glühwein in cold hands while wandering a Weihnachtsmarkt. The word comes from glühen (to glow), referring to the heat and warm spices.

🍷 Easy Glühwein Recipe (In Simple German + English)

Below is a learner-friendly recipe with essential cooking vocabulary.

Glühwein – Einfaches Rezept (für 4 Personen)

(Simple mulled wine recipe — for 4 people)

Zutaten:

• 1 Flasche Rotwein (dry red wine)

• 1 Orange (bio), in Scheiben geschnitten

• 1 Zimtstange (cinnamon stick)

• 3 Nelken (cloves)

• 2–3 EL Zucker (tablespoons of sugar)

• Optional: 1 Sternanis (star anise), 1 Schuss Rum (a dash of rum)

Zubereitung:

1. Den Rotwein in einen Topf gießen, aber nicht kochen.(Pour the red wine into a pot, but do not boil.)

2. Orange und Gewürze hinzufügen.(Add the orange and spices.)

3. Zucker einrühren und bei niedriger Hitze 10–15 Minuten ziehen lassen.(Stir in sugar and let it infuse on low heat for 10–15 minutes.)

4. Nach Geschmack einen Schuss Rum hinzufügen.(Add a dash of rum to taste.)

5. Heiß servieren – am besten in einer dicken Keramiktasse.(Serve hot — ideally in a thick ceramic mug.)

Cultural Notes

• Glühwein must never be boiled; this burns off aromas and alcohol.

• Many markets offer Weißer Glühwein (mulled white wine).

• Almost every market charges Pfand — a deposit for the mug.

• German workplaces often hold “Glühweinabend” gatherings.

⭐ 3. Kinderpunsch – The Non-Alcoholic Favourite

Perfect for children, drivers, or anyone avoiding alcohol, Kinderpunsch is a warm, spicy fruit-juice punch.

🍎 Easy Kinderpunsch Recipe

Kinderpunsch – Rezept (für 4 Personen)

Zutaten:

• 1 Liter Apfelsaft (apple juice)

• 500 ml Traubensaft (grape juice)

• 1 Zimtstange

• 2 Nelken

• 1 Orange (bio), in Scheiben

• Optional: 1 Teebeutel Früchtetee (fruit tea bag)

Zubereitung:

1. Alle Zutaten in einen Topf geben.(Put all ingredients in a pot.)

2. Langsam erhitzen, aber nicht kochen.(Heat slowly, but don’t boil.)

3. 10 Minuten ziehen lassen.

4. Nach Belieben süßen.(Sweeten to taste.)

5. Heiß servieren.

Why learners love this drink: It uses everyday vocabulary and is easy to recreate at home — ideal for A1–A2 learners.

⭐ 4. Eierlikör – The German Egg Liqueur

Creamy, rich, and usually served warm in Schokobechern (little chocolate cups), Eierlikör is the German relative of eggnog — but noticeably smoother and more custardy.

🥚 Easy Eierlikör Recipe

Eierlikör – Rezept (für ca. 500 ml)

Zutaten:

• 4 Eigelb (egg yolks)

• 200 ml Sahne (cream)

• 150 g Puderzucker (icing sugar)

• 1 Päckchen Vanillezucker (vanilla sugar)

• 200 ml Weingeist oder neutraler Alkohol (approx. 40%)

Zubereitung:

1. Eigelb, Zucker und Vanillezucker cremig rühren.(Beat yolks, icing sugar and vanilla sugar until creamy.)

2. Sahne langsam unterrühren.

3. Alkohol hinzufügen und im Wasserbad vorsichtig erhitzen.(Add alcohol and heat gently in a bain-marie.)

4. Nicht kochen! Nur warm werden lassen, bis die Masse dickflüssig ist.

5. Abfüllen und im Kühlschrank lagern.

Traditional ways to serve:

• Warm in chocolate cups (Schokobecher)

• Over vanilla ice cream

• In small liqueur glasses after Christmas dinner

⭐ 5. Useful German Kitchen Verbs & Measurements

(Perfect for anyone following German recipes)

🔪 Essential Verbs (Kochverben)

Verb	English
schneiden	to cut
würfeln	to dice
rühren	to stir
erhitzen	to heat
köcheln	to simmer
ziehen lassen	to let infuse
würzen	to season
gießen	to pour
hinzufügen	to add
servieren	to serve

🧂 Measurements (Maßeinheiten)

German	English
1 EL (Esslöffel)	1 tbsp
1 TL (Teelöffel)	1 tsp
ein Schuss	a dash/splash
eine Prise	a pinch
1 Liter	1 litre
1 ml	1 millilitre
100 g	100 grams

These appear constantly in German recipes — especially for festive drinks and baking.

⭐ 6. Other Traditional German Christmas Drinks

🔥 Feuerzangenbowle

A spectacular drink where a rum-soaked sugar loaf is set on fire and drips into a pot of Glühwein. Often served at New Year's and accompanied by the classic cult film “Die Feuerzangenbowle.”

🍏 Glühmost / Heißer Apfelmost

Mulled hot cider is especially common in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland — lighter and fruitier than Glühwein.

☕ Weihnachtstee

A Christmas tea blend made from cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, cardamom and red berries — perfect for learners who prefer non-alcoholic options.

🍷 Weißer Glühwein

Made from white wine (Weißwein) — milder, more floral, and increasingly popular at Christmas markets.

⭐ 7. Cultural Traditions Around Christmas Drinks

🎄 At the Christmas Market

German Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) revolve around warm drinks. Expect:

• Pfand: a deposit system for mugs

• Collectable ceramic cups with the city’s design

• Standing tables (Stehtische) for chatting

• Long queues at the most popular Glühwein stands

• Hot drinks served “mit Schuss” (with a shot of liquor)

🏡 At Home

Many families make Glühwein while decorating the Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree) or baking Plätzchen (biscuits). Evening gatherings often include:

• Glühwein + gingerbread

• Eierlikör served in mini chocolate cups

• Kinderpunsch for children

🎆 At New Year (Silvester)

Drinks shift from Christmas to New Year traditions:

• Sekt (sparkling wine) at midnight

• Feuerzangenbowle parties

• Hot punches during fireworks

⭐ 8. A Festive Vocabulary List for German Learners

German	English
der Glühwein	mulled wine
der weißer Glühwein	white mulled wine
der Glühmost	hot cider
der Punsch	punch
der Kinderpunsch	non-alcoholic punch
der Schuss	a shot/splash (of alcohol)
die Gewürze	spices
der Zimt	cinnamon
die Nelke	clove
die Orange / Orangenscheibe	orange / orange slice
der Becher	mug/cup
der Weihnachtsmarkt	Christmas market
die Kälte	the cold
sich aufwärmen	to warm up

⭐ Conclusion: Drink Like a Local — and Learn German as You Go

German Christmas drinks bring people together — whether at a snowy Weihnachtsmarkt or in a warm living room surrounded by candles and biscuits. Learning the vocabulary and recipes behind Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, and Eierlikör not only enriches your German but also connects you to centuries of festive tradition.

If you’d like to keep learning seasonal vocabulary, explore more posts on the Olesen Tuition German blog — and join our online German lessons, German classes in London, or intensive courses, where you can practise speaking about food, traditions, recipes, and all things Christmas.

Frohe Weihnachten und Prost! Merry Christmas — and cheers!