Glügwein, the mulled wine that is drunk at Christmas
1.**GLÜHWEIN (GERMANY) **
It is impossible to talk about Christmas in Germany without talking about the Glühwein . It's all an invention. You will easily find this mulled wine with an unmistakable smell in the Christmas stalls of the traditional Weinachtsmarkt. Warm your hands with one of its steaming ceramic cups and feel that characteristic flavor that it provides red wine mixed with a whole festival of spices . After a few drinks, you will forget about the cold.
2.**CHAMPAGNE (FRANCE) AND CAVA (SPAIN) **
If we think of a typical drink for a Christmas toast, the first thing that comes to mind is that glass of sparkling wine that will not stop bubbling. There are those who prefer to drink cava because it is a national product or champagne, because it is considered finer and somewhat sweeter in flavor. Its production method is very similar and its name is marked by its origin, among other things. Without going into debate, both drinks are a must at Christmas.
3.**EGG PUNCH (UNITED STATES)**
It is just as important on Thanksgiving to prepare a good turkey as it is to serve a good eggnog. Especially if we are in the United States. Although its origin comes from England, it is in North America where Eggnog or eggnog is super traditional in Christmas party toasts. Its ingredients are: milk, sugar, eggs. Some people add rum, whiskey or brandy to give it a stronger touch.
Eggnog, a must in the US
4.**GLÖGG (SWEDEN) **
The Scandinavian version of Glühwein is called Glögg . It is a hot spiced wine that is made with red wine, vodka spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. The ideal is to serve it with peeled almonds, gingerbread cookies and raisin and saffron buns, and savor it sip by sip. In some Ikea stores it is possible to find bottles of Glögg to heat at home (although homemade is better).
5.**WATER FROM VALENCIA (SPAIN)**
Agua de Valencia is a recipe that can be taken at any time of the year, although it seems that At Christmas it feels much better. It is a cocktail based on cava, orange juice, vodka and gin. The traditional thing is to serve it in a low glass of champagne, type bosom of Marie Antoinette . Be careful, because it enters like water and quickly takes out the colors.
6.**JULMUST (SWEDEN) **
Christmas arrives and the Swedes go crazy for Julmust. The reason: this soft drink is very difficult to find during the rest of the year. With a flavor similar to that of beer, Julmust is the non-alcoholic alternative to Glögg. It is not a drink that puts you 'in the mood', but it will surely delight you with its taste. Outside of Sweden you can find bottles in some Ikea stores.
The sweetest drink
7.**HOT CHOCOLATE (SPAIN)**
One thing is clear: Christmas is not for dieting. And even less the sweet tooth who face the temptation of hot chocolate. It is undoubtable not to have a cup of chocolate with batons and churros and even more serious is not taking it on Three Kings Day . Where else would we dip the roscón? In mid-January we will look at the scale...
8.**CREAM DE VIE (CUBA)**
Do you love condensed milk? Then the Creme de Vie will be your downfall. In Cuba this liquor is a must drink for Christmas parties (although any celebration is a good excuse to serve a few drinks). It is prepared at home and its recipe is passed down from generation to generation. It takes a combination of milk (including a whole can of condensed), egg, sugar and rum. Warning: it is so sweet that you will drink it in one gulp.
9.**SWEET WINE (SPAIN)**
There is no better drink to accompany some Polvorones than a good sweet wine. In Andalusia they know it very well. try to combine a sweet Oloroso with a Jerez pestiño, a Pedro Ximénez with fig bread or a muscatel with some mantecados. You will love them. And it is that sweet wines marry with everything, even with salty food. Don't hold back, it's Christmas!
A canelazo, a strong strong drink
10.**CANELAZO (COLOMBIA)**
Colombians have found a perfect drink to face the cold of Christmas nights: the canelazo . Made with aguardiente, panela and cinnamon water, this hot drink is one of the oldest in the Andes. It is also very popular in mountainous areas of Peru and Ecuador , where it is also prepared with anise.
11.**FRUIT PUNCH (MEXICO)**
If there is something that cannot be missing from a Mexican table on Christmas Eve, it is the fruit punch . At first glance it can remind us of our sangria, although the fruit it contains is very different. Slow cooked with spices and different typical fruits of Mexico (such as tecojote or guava), the aroma of this Christmas drink makes us salivate. It is always served hot , in clay jars and with pieces of fruit. It is also often added Ron.
12.**MONKEY TAIL (CHILE)**
With a very original name, Chileans celebrate Christmas toasting with glasses of cola de mono, a powerful liquor made with brandy, milk, coffee, sugar and spices. Some people add cognac, brandy or whiskey to give it an even stronger touch. Together with the Easter bread they make an inseparable Christmas couple.
Christmas coquito shots
13.**CHRISTMAS COQUITO (PUERTO RICO)**
Talking about Christmas in Puerto Rico is talking about coquitos. It is the traditional drink par excellence of these dates. Basically Contains milk, coconut and rum , although there are many other versions, such as the amaretto, pistachio or coquito nutella . It is a liqueur with a creamy texture that should be served very cold and in small shots (otherwise it goes to your head quickly).
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- All the articles of Almudena Martín