Best Traditional Winter Drinks from around the World

With the end of the year and the winter season growing nearer everyday, we are looking for yummy drinks to keep us warm. This list of the best traditional winter drinks from around the world should keep us satisfied.

Every country has its own holiday traditions with specialities and drinks. If most winter drinks are made with a base of oranges, cinnamon, lemon juice and sugar, it’s the twist brought by each homemade family recipe that keeps those traditional drinks modern and enjoyed worldwide.

Now, if you are looking for a great hot chocolate recipe, I can only recommend this article by my colleague on hot chocolate recipes from around the world. To make it more “Christmassy”, you can always add a spoon full of rum. Be careful, alcohol is to be consumed with moderation!

We all love a good homemade hot cider, but there are many more traditional drinks to enjoy in Winter.

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Traditional German Drinks

Germany is the country with the most winter drinks recipes, going as far as Glühbier, or warm beer. However, Germany is most famous for its Glühwein, a spiced warm red wine, most appreciated on Christmas markets. Nothing easier to make than a Glühwein, for all you need is the right ingredients and a pot to warm them all together. This recipe should help you live all your Glühwein fantasies until we can all go back outside to enjoy it while appreciating Christmas lights.

If you wish to go a bit further, then you should try the Feuerzangenbowle, or the burnt punch. I never had the chance to try this one, but this recipe made me decide to try it next time I am in Germany. Be careful if you wish to make this one at home as it requires fire.

Finally, if you are more of a tea person, the Jagertee, or the hunter tea, is for you. This strong drink brings most of winter’s tastes together. You will need tea, spiced rum, red wine, brandy, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, lemon slices and sugar. If this long ingredient list did not scare you away, let me know what you think. This recipe should help you out. Make sure you planned nothing after for you might feel funny for a while.

Eggnog

What would be Winter without the traditional Eggnog. If you are anything like me, a good Christmas, is an eggnog-free Christmas. However, if you enjoy that beverage, it’s too bad for you, but here is the recipe anyway. Did you know that if the name was probably made up by our American friends, the eggnog can be traced back to 13th Century England where monks were already enjoying the ancestor of the drink? Americans transformed it by adding rum, or whiskey in the south of the States.

Puerto Rico created its own eggnog, called Coquito. They use sweetened condensed milk, dark rum, coconut milk, cinnamon and salt. This recipe is easier to make because there are no eggs in it. It might be a better choice for us eggnog-haters.

Of course, like many other countries, Germany has its own eggnog recipe called Eierpunsch, or egg-punch. They add white wine and tea from the original recipe.

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Punch

Another favorite around the world is the punch. Sure, some of us drink it all year round, but in most countries it was created, and is still enjoyed, as a holiday drink. The punch comes from the Caribbean, where the rum was first made. The French in me would fight you to say that the best punches are the French ones, from Guadeloupe and Martinique, but this Ponche Navideno Mexicano recipe looks too good to be ignored.

Yet, the traditional English Christmas Punch knows how to fend for himself. I enjoy the tea twist; it wouldn’t be English without it. This recipe should keep each side of the Atlantic happy for Christmas.

If you wish to prepare an alcohol-free festive drink, then the German Kinderpunsch is for you.

Around the world

If you feel adventurous, you should try a Chilean Cola De Mono, or Monkey Tail. This winter drink with the most interesting name is for coffee lovers. Where does the name come from? It is a well-kept secret, but my favorite theory says that it will make the drinkers swing like monkeys.

On the other side of the planet, in Korea, Sujeonggwa is a traditional winter drink, often enjoyed for New Year’s Eve. Made with ginger, cinnamon sticks, sugar, pine nuts and persimmons, it can be an exotic taste for this special Christmas.

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I could not finish this article without mentioning the Hot Toddy. Some say that the beverage comes from India, while others maintain it was created in Scotland. No matter what, it will keep you warm under Irish rain and wind with its fair dose of whiskey. This easy recipe is a keeper, as the hot toddy is supposedly good for sore throats.

This year has been hard for most of us, but the new year is almost here. As we have a month left in 2020, we should all take some time to relax and enjoy the simple things, such as homemade drinks. If you ever try any of those recipes, let me know which one is your favorite and how it went. Until then, cheers!