The medieval and baroque squares of Europe glow with thousands of colored lanterns. The most famous markets date back to the Middle Ages and are steeped in tradition, offering a strong dose of nostalgia along with good food and mulled wine.

Discover the magic of three of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets. We’ve brought you recipes for their signature mulled wine so that you can create a Christmas festive atmosphere at home.

Glögg / Gothenburg Sweden 

Gothenburg offers a truly magical Christmas experience, centered around the enchanting Liseberg Christmas Market. Lose yourself in the festive atmosphere, sample delicious treats, and shop for unique gifts. Don’t miss the captivating St. Lucia celebrations, a highlight of the Swedish holiday season.

A Scandinavian winter wouldn’t be complete without a steaming mug of Glögg. This warming beverage shares many similarities with German Glühwein but offers its distinct flavor profile. Crafted with specific wine varietals and a unique blend of spices, Glögg is typically enjoyed hot and often spiked with a generous amount of alcohol. In Sweden, it’s customary to add raisins and almonds to the mix, making it a delightful treat for both the palate and the soul.

Recipe

2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces, 1 tsp. cardamom pods, 1 small piece ginger, peeled, Zest of ½ orange, 6 whole cloves, ½ cup vodka, 750-ml dry red wine, 1 cup ruby port or Madeira, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 Tbsp. vanilla sugar, ½ blanched whole almonds, ½ cup dark raisins

 Crush cinnamon and cardamom in a mortar and pestle (or put them on a cutting board and crush with the bottom of a heavy pot.) Add ginger, orange zest, cloves, and vodka to a small glass jar. Let sit 1 day.

Strain vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a large saucepan; discard spices. Add wine, port, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, almonds, and raisins and heat over medium just until bubbles start to form around the edges.

Ladle glögg into mugs, with a few almonds and raisins in each one. Keep any remaining glögg warm over very low heat until ready to serve (do not let it boil).

Glühwein/ Cologne Germany

Cologne, a perennial favorite for holiday travelers, offers a variety of enchanting Christmas markets. The largest, located in the heart of the city beneath the iconic cathedral, is a sight to behold. The Markt der Engel captivates visitors with its dazzling display of twinkling lights and intricate angel decorations, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Nikolausdorf, a charming town steeped in history, offers a unique blend of the old and new. Discover the real story of St. Nicholas, explore the 13th-century Hahnen Gate, and immerse yourself in mythical markets. All while sipping on warm Glühwein.

This heartwarming beverage, a beloved tradition in European cultures, is perfect for cozy nights in. With endless flavor possibilities, our recipe encourages you to experiment and create your own unique blend.

Recipe

1 liter red wine, 1 orange, 2 stick(s) cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon(s) cardamom, 2 star anises, 100g ginger, 2 sprigs rosemary, 250 g honey, 50 g brandy.

To serve

1 stick(s) cinnamon, pomegranate, rosemary

In a pot, add the red wine, orange, cinnamon stick, cardamom, star anise, ginger, rosemary and honey. Transfer pot over heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the cognac. Serve in glasses with pomegranate seeds, cinnamon sticks and rosemary.

Svařák/  Prague -Czech

A festive spirit fills the air as the city is adorned with twinkling lights and holiday cheer. Medieval buildings are transformed into storybook settings, while the cobbled streets come alive with the sights, sounds, and scents of the Christmas markets.

But the real star of the show is the food!

Savor hot sausages straight from the grill, fluffy pancakes, and garlicky flatbread. All this, paired with a warm cup of svarak, a local mulled wine with a citrusy twist, will keep you coming back for more.

In Czech culture, it’s a cherished tradition to sip spiced wine while browsing the stalls at annual Christmas markets. A cup of hot wine warms your chilly hands and fills the air with holiday aroma. Let’s make authentic spiced wine using a Czech recipe!

Recipe

1 bottle red wine, 3 cinnamon sticks, 5-10 cloves, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 lemon, 1 orange or 2 small mandarins or tangerines, 25ml Czech Tuzemský rum (optional), 3 cardamom pods (optional), 1-2 star anise, ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)

Prepare your spices. Count out the cinnamon sticks and cloves into a bowl and place to one side. You may also add other spices, such as cardamom, nutmeg or star anise at this point.

Grate or zest the peel of ½ the orange and ½ the lemon. Add to your bowl of spices. Set your burner to low heat and pour the bottle of wine into the pot. Add the bowl of spices to the pot and stir regularly.

While the spices are releasing their flavor, slice the lemon and orange, but do not add yet. Continue to stir the pot intermittently. After about 20 minutes, add the sliced fruit and 2 tbsp of brown sugar. Stir for an additional 5 minutes. For an extra kick of alcohol, many people like to add Czech Tuzemský rum (domestic rum), which is made from sugar beets. Start slowly with one shot of rum, and add to taste because the flavor is quite distinctive – you’ll either love or hate it.

Serve and enjoy!

Contact us to create together the most festive corporate wine event!

COME ALONG WITH THE WINE CONNOISSEURS AND DELVE INTO THE ROOTS OF GREEK CULTURE