Mulled wine in Europe
Mulled wine is the more popular name, easier to call than the original name Glühwein of this special Christmas drink. Although it is loved by all over Europe and each country often has its own version, only Germany and Austria consider mulled wine as the soul of Christmas. And in the world's cuisine, mulled wine is a sophisticated drink, with the taste of family, served with a piece of apple pie or grape cake will create an extremely unforgettable taste.
Each European country has its own version of mulled wine. White mulled wine is made from white wine using caramel water to get an attractive golden color, while red mulled wine is often cooked with spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves, nutmeg and fruits such as orange, lemon, apple with a little sugar or honey for a smooth, sweet taste. The finished product is a glass of wine with a rich, shimmering red color and a strong aroma.
Imagine, outside the window is the cold snow falling, inside the house, you sit by the fireplace and sip a glass of bright red mulled wine, clear as ruby, with the refreshing taste of orange mixed with warm spices, what could be more wonderful? That is the reason why mulled is considered the most special Christmas drink in Europe.
Glogg wine in Sweden and Denmark
On the surface, glogg looks very similar to mulled wine and is made in the same way, with a few minor differences. This is a special Christmas drink in the Nordic region, which has been adapted by the locals to suit their tastes and culture.
While mulled wine uses the whole orange and lemon, the Nordic people like Sweden and Denmark only brew red wine with the peel of the two fruits. Then, they combine dried fruits or nuts such as grapes, apricots, plums, peaches, apples and almonds to create a sweet taste for the glass of glogg. A glass of sweet and refreshing glogg is also a way for you to enjoy the Nordic flavor, warm in the trendy "hygge" style.
WASSAIL (ENGLAND)
Wassail has a history dating back to the 1400s. The ancient British believed that it was good for health, brought good luck and hope for a bountiful apple harvest the following year. Wassail was made from apples that were heated and mixed with sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a few drops of brandy or sherry.
For the British, Christmas would not be complete without visits from friends and neighbors to sip wassail and sing along to lively songs. This tradition has a history of thousands of years in the foggy land and is preserved as a cultural feature with strong identity.
Hot Chocolate
Chocolate is a popular drink in many countries, but on Christmas Eve, it is combined with other foods to become a special drink. The classic recipe for this sweet and smooth drink is actually very simple, just melted chocolate with a few floating marshmallows on top. The rich taste comes from the blend of sweet and slightly bitter.
Nowadays, there are many other interesting chocolate versions such as chocolate combined with whipped cream, caramel, coffee and Bailey's liqueur, even chili for a spicy and warm taste; not to mention the topping layer of sauce and sprinkled with lots of colored candies and cookies, which has created an extremely attractive Christmas drink.
Eggnog in the US and Canada
Egggnog, also known as egg custard, originated in England but after being introduced to the US and Canada, it became a special and most popular Christmas drink in these two countries. The ingredients and method of making eggnog are very simple: just eggs, milk, sugar, whipped with vanilla to create a soft, fluffy, creamy mixture.
In particular, to suit the festive atmosphere, people also add aromatic liquors such as bourbon, rum, brandy or coffee to the traditional eggnog to create a bitter yet sweet taste of this soft custard.
Looking at the ingredients that make up eggnog, everyone thinks that its taste will be very fatty but it is not. This special Christmas drink has a very light taste, especially when combined with a little crispy brown cinnamon powder, it also makes people feel extremely warm inside.
Colemono in Chile
A must-have on any list of special Christmas drinks is the colemono, a quintessential Chilean drink. A colemono is a perfect blend of aguardiente, milk, coffee, citrus peel and vanilla, creating a strong, intoxicating taste for the drinker.
Colemono is considered a bolder version of eggnog because of its strong blend of flavors, and unlike eggnog, it is usually served cold. To add a creamy and smooth taste to this Christmas drink, people can also add a little delicious coconut milk.
Coquito in Puerto Rico
It seems that at Christmas, sweet and savory flavors are always popular. In hot countries like Puerto Rico, people enjoy coquitos with a special highlight of coconut milk that melts on the tip of the tongue, full of tropical flavor.
Like colomeno, coquito is an American version of eggnog. Of course, Puerto Ricans have adapted it to suit their culture. To make a truly delicious coquito, milk must be boiled with beaten egg yolks, rum added to create a sweet, fatty aroma. Finally, coconut milk is indispensable to create a sweet, seductive flavor.
Sorrel Punch (Jamaica)
Christmas in Jamaica means sun and beach, so there’s no need for hot drinks. Instead, the traditional Jamaican Christmas drink is sorrel (the local name for hibiscus), which is actually hibiscus petals, mixed with sugar, fresh ginger, lime juice and rum.
