What could be more cozy and warming in winter? Let’s explore what Europeans like to drink during the colder months.
Anijsmelk:
Anijsmelk is a Dutch beverage made with hot milk, flavored with anise, and sweetened with sugar. The warmth of the milk combined with the soothing properties of anise might just make you want to curl up for a little nap. It’s particularly fitting for the long winter nights in the Netherlands.
Spiced Wine:
Spiced wine is a hot alcoholic beverage made with wine and various spices. It is typically prepared using red wine, although white wine variations also exist. In European countries like Germany and France, spiced wine is a staple during autumn and winter festivals such as Halloween and Christmas. Sometimes, distilled spirits like rum are added to the spiced wine, as some alcohol evaporates during the heating process. The finished mulled wine needs to be heated before consumption but should not be brought to a boil.
The German version of spiced wine is the perfect winter drink, crafted with red wine and infused with flavors of cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and sugar, creating a hot, sweet, and spicy combination. As a traditional Christmas beverage, Glühwein is readily available at Christmas markets throughout Germany.
In the Swedish version known as Glögg, each cup is filled with a rich blend of ingredients. Besides red wine, cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, cardamom pods, cloves, and sugar, Swedes add a touch of aquavit (a strong spirit made from Scandinavian potatoes) to invigorate the drink. Before pouring the hot mulled wine, almonds and raisins are placed in the glass.
In Finnish spiced wine, the most common spices include cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, sometimes with the addition of orange peel and cardamom.
