Prosit,<BR><BR>Glad to hear all the sweet and warm memories of what appears to be a globally appreciated "kick-in-the-butt" Weinachten treat. By the way I use Southern Comfort, red wine a "zucker hut" (sugar cone) and gluehwein gewuerz spice bags all poured into a stainless steel pot over a fondue burner (If any of you know where I could find a real burner it would be greatly appreciated as the last time I was in Bayern the store owners said that they are only available around christmas). For those of you who do not want to be troubled I believe that Ikea sells it as a scandanavian glogg in a bottle this time of year. Not quite the same as the result of the efforts put into the real thing but makes for a great change. By the way the blue flame of the ignited brandy always is a winner with christmas guests. Thanks

Let me be the first to admit that the gluhwein really tastes bad, but the reason for buying it at a Weihnachtsmarkt is to get the cute little mug as a souvenir.

stopping by with my mulled wine to say hello to a few familiar faces.

Re-reading this to get a wintry thrill. It's about 75F outside and I've yet to get the season's excitement. Longing for a little snow, small town, and some mulled **ANYTHING** in front of a fireplace. Guess I'll light up the chiminea tonight, get out those mugs, and turn on the A/C full blast! Thanks for the recipes, all.

Just returned from the German Christmas markets. Hit Rothenburg, Munich, Garmisch, Heidelberg along with Innsbruck, Austria. Gluwein was great.<BR><BR>One nice thing the Germans do is to sell the first cup of the wine to you in a special ceramic mug made for that city. You pay for the mug, about $1.50, and refill as needed. If you want to keep the mug you can. If you do not want the mug, you turn it in for a full refund for the cost of the mug. Great way to keep the trash level down and the mugs are fun souvenirs. The US should do this. Sure beats a lot of paper all over the ground.<BR><BR>Drink the Gluwein! It ain't for everyone, but it is Germany at Christmas.