Toast to the season!

The Christmas holiday season is a time filled with joy, warmth, and cherished traditions. Let's explore some traditional Christmas drinks from Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands and The UK, showcasing the delightful flavors and customs that make this season so special! Each country offers its unique beverages that capture the essence of the festive spirit.

Mulled wine: a delight for many

Many countries have their version of glögg, a spiced mulled wine with deep historical roots in Nordic cultures.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, glögg was once a luxury enjoyed by the wealthy but has since become a beloved drink among all social classes.

With these delightful variations of glögg from Sweden, Finland and Estonia, you can embrace the spirit of the season while catering to different tastes and preferences.

"Swedish glögg is a spiced, sugared and simmered red wine. People drink it almost exclusively during the Holiday season, usually with raisins and blanched almonds added. The traditional way of serving glögg is in a small mug with a handle."

"In Finland, we call mulled wine glögi. You can enjoy it as it is (warm, of course!) or garnished with raisins and chopped almonds. Nowadays our glögi is often much sweeter and juice-like, not like the typical mulled wine. But, there are of course plenty of variations for different tastes!"

"Estonian glögg takes on a unique character, as it is often made from berries or fruits instead of grapes. It is called also glögi. We also like our hõõgvein! Just visit the Tallinn Christmas market at the Town Hall Square and taste yourself. Yummy!"

"In Norway, glögg is also enjoyed like in the other Nodic countries. Here it is called gløgg. But it must be said, that Aquavit holds a special place as a traditional drink associated with festivities, like Christmas. Did you know, that Aquavit is believed to aid digestion when paired with rich Christmas meals? This is a notion rooted in historical medicinal uses."

Jenever: the Dutch spirit

In the Netherlands, Jenever (also known as Genever or Dutch gin) is a traditional alcoholic beverage with origins dating back to the 16th century.

Derived from juniper berries and other botanicals, distilled from malt wine. There are two types of this festive drink:

• Oude (Old) Jenever: Full-bodied with a hint of sweetness
• Jonge (Young) Jenever: Lighter and more neutral taste

Traditionally served cold and neat in small glasses, Jenever can also be paired with beer (known as a "kopstoot") or used in cocktails. It has a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), ensuring its production in specific regions to preserve its heritage.

Eggnog: a British classic

In Great Britain, Eggnog is a classic holiday drink synonymous with Christmas celebrations.

This rich and creamy beverage holds a special place in British festive traditions. It is customary to toast with eggnog during Christmas dinner, celebrating the joy of the season with loved ones.

So, a toast to the season!

These festive drinks not only warm the body but also foster connections, bringing people together to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season. Toast to a season filled with goodwill and cheer. Cheers!