I keep reading about walking around te Christmas markets drinking gleuwein. What is it.<BR><BR>John

Hi,<BR>I belive it is called gluhwein and it is warmed red wine ( certainly the wine that I have tasted) I do not know what else if anything they put in but on a clear sunny winter day ( or at night ) a glass is very nice ( looking forward to some in Berlin in a weeks time)

Gluhwein is a hot mug of wine with spices in it (cinnamon, cloves, etc.). Quite tasty. Another winter drink you can find in Austria and Germany is Jagertee ("Hunter's Tea). It is hot tea that has been punched up with Schnapps, wine and spices. Both are good and will definitely warm you up!

Gluhwein is hot, spiced wine. In Scandanavian countries I believe it is referred to as Glogg. Sometimes it's fortified with port for an extra "kick". Anywhere you drink it, it's a great, tasty way to warm up.

It's a German/Austrian winter holiday beverage, made with a fresh orange, sugar, red wine, cloves & cinnamon. Many Americans come to think of it as an apres-ski beverage. It's one of the treats you'll see people consuming as they make their way through the streets, along with other goodies like roasted chestnuts that time of year, etc.

Ahh gluvein...nectar of the gods...or goddesses...great stuff...esp if you are drinking while walking around a Christkindlemart (sp?) somewhere in France or Germany. If you like red wine (seet) you will love it. They also can put licquor in it too so it can be potent. I buy it at the military class 6 stores at Christmas time and brings back fond memories! Cheers!

At least here in the Rhineland, the christmas markets also sell hot chocolate with cream and liquor. All these drinks have in common that they are hot and contain sugar and alcohol which means that they hit you like a hammer. Be warned that the police normally increases alcohol controls during the times of the christmas markets, so don't drink and drive.

Hans hallo:<BR><BR>"They hit you like a hammer" - well said. I fully agree.<BR>It's like the "petits punchs" you get in the French Carribeans. Two of them and you are under the table.<BR>

I buy gluhwein seasonings at my local German market. It comes in little bags that look just like tea bags. Just warm some red wine in a sauce pan with the spice bag. Don't overheat as alcohol will vaporize(oh no!). Fortify with brandy if desired.

How topical! I'm on way back to hotel having spent the evening at the christmas markets in Berlin where I had a couple of mugs of gleuwein. Red wine, spiced, and you can have an extra shot of liquor if you want. It's served in christmas mugs, piping hot and you drink it at shared rickety christmas tree shaped tables with other friendly folk. I highly recommend the gleuwein and the markets.

The December Rick Steves Travel news features an article on gluhwein.

Sounds like what we call Mulled Wine in UK.<BR><BR>Is it the same? If so, even I, a non wine drinker enjoy it as it often has sugar which makes it lovely when warm and spicey... mmmmmmm<BR><BR>Kavey

hi there,<BR>dont wanna kill Your Christmas-feeling in the gluehwein, but last year food analyst have checked those wines beeing sold on the markets. They found a lot of thing in there, but not one (from about 25!) contained wine. It has been spices, alcohol, colour, chemics ...<BR>anyway, Prost<BR>Gar

I've heard it called "headache in a mug" and I couldn't agree more!! Considering you can buy a liter bottle for 2dm, I think it's safe to say it's very cheap wine (if even wine at all!). For a greater headache, get it mit schl&uuml;ss (with an extra shot of liquor).

Hey whatever it was I enjoyed it and lived to tell the tale! Progressed to the eggnoggy stuff towards end of week, that was even better!

Eggnoggy stuff? What's that?

You can make your own gluhwein.<BR>Here is a swedish recipe:<BR>Ingredients:<BR>- 1 bottle cheap red wine<BR>- 10 cl vodka<BR>- 10 grams whole cinnamon<BR>- 1,5 grams cloves (about 20 pieces)<BR>- a small piece of ginger<BR>- 2 grams crushed cardamom seeds<BR>- the (dried) peels of half a bitter<BR> orange<BR>- 300 grams sugar<BR>- one tablespoon vanilla suger<BR>- almonds and raisins as desired<BR>Proceed as follows:<BR>1. Crush the cardamom and cinnamon,<BR> put all spices in a covered glass<BR> jar, add the vodka.<BR> Let stand for 24 hours.<BR>2. Sieve the vodka, discard the spices.<BR>3. Put the almonds in boiling water for<BR> 10 seconds, rinse them , rinse them <BR> with cold water and peel them.<BR>4. Mix the red wine and the spicy vodka<BR> in a pan, add vanilla, sugar almonds<BR> and raisins.<BR>5. Heat covered for a few minutes, but<BR> do not under any circumstace let the<BR> mixture boil. <BR><BR>Olle<BR>

Red wine always gives me headache; gluhwein does not. Go figure, maybe it really is vodka and not wine. Or maybe the alcohol cooked off. Whatever, it is so wonderful on a cold wintry day, wandering through the Christmas markets with all the beautiful decorations and tempting food. It can be sold in commemorative mugs for which you pay a deposit and get it back if you don't want the mug. I have several mugs and use them during the holidays to remember those friendly Bavarians!

Paige: Sorry, I don't know what it was called. It was yellow, had a kick, and tasted a bit eggy and sweet!!! It was sold alongside the gluhwein, but was, alcoholicly, much stronger.

The eggnoggy stuff is probably Eierlikoer.