The Christmas season means there are plenty of festive parties to attend and celebrate. If you plan on doing a second theme, why not choose an international one? Here are our favorites 5 Christmas drinks from around the world and their recipes.
1) Wassail from UK
Wassail literally meant ‘good health’ in Middle English. In ancient southern England, sailing was accompanied by “wassailing”, a drinking ritual to ensure a bountiful apple harvest the following year. Today, wassail is a perfect excuse to warm up in chilly Christmas weather.
The traditional recipe includes eggs, but we’ve omitted them in the following basic wassail recipe.
Simple Wassail recipe:
- 1 gallon of cider
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 oranges
- 10 cloves
- 1 apple, peeled and diced
- Pepper
- ginger
- nutmeg
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 C – 1 C brandy (optional)
If you want to sip some Wassail in the UK, check out your flight ticket to the UK
2) Glühwein from Germany
Glühwein means “luminous wine”, referring to the hot iron used for grinding wine. This German mulled wine is popular around Christmas and is the perfect companion when strolling through the many Christmas markets around the country.
The simple Glühwein formula:
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 orange
- 10 cloves
- 1 (750ml) bottle of red wine
Experience the German Christmas market with a hot glass of glühwein in hand. Find flights to Germany
3) Poppy seed milk from Lithuania
This is a popular drink in Lithuania during winter. And since you don’t need lactose to prepare it, The Poppy Seed Milk smoothie is a great alternative to the traditional American eggnog.
Simple poppy seed milk recipe:
- 2 cups poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 cups hot/boiling water
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
If you want to try the real deal in Lithuania, check out flights to Vilnius.
4) Eggnog from USA
Who would have thought that mixing eggs and milk with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg would be such a popular drink? Across the United States and parts of Canada, one good party incomplete without a glass of bubbly eggnog.
Simple Eggnogg recipe:
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 liter full cream milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 ounces bourbon
- 1 teaspoon fresh nutmeg
- 4 egg whites
Not too sure about this egg concoction? Skip the DIY and buy a crate or two in the US. Get your flight to the US
5) Gløgg from Norway
Gløgg, or hot spiced wine, is a popular tradition not only in Norway but throughout Scandinavia. With temperatures below freezing, it’s no surprise that this Warm drinks are a must when it comes to the holidays.
Simple Gløgg formula:
- 1 (750ml) bottle of red wine
- 1 ounce dried orange peel
- 1 slice cinnamon
- 10 cardamom seeds
- 10 cloves
Looking for a white Christmas? Head to Norway and warm up with the Nordic version of the spice wine. Search for flights to Norway
Does your country have a special festive drink that you would like to share with us?
