Erin Elizabeth
While beer may rank as the most famous alcoholic beverage in Germany, German cocktails deliver fantastic flavors.
These cocktail recipes are sure to warm up a crowd, both with their festive holiday seasonings and a hefty dose of alcohol.
These German cocktails feature traditional ingredients like apples, beer, and maple syrup.
Cultural events like Germany’s Christmas Markets provide ample opportunities for German cocktail creations to continue attracting new devotees and innovate new flavors.
This list of the best 14 German cocktails represents the full spectrum of mixed drinks beloved in Germany.
Many cultures enjoy a kind of spiced, mulled wine during the holidays.
In Germany, this mixture is called gluhwein. Mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise steep with oranges in dry red wine.
Pour into small cups and top with rum to understand why this German cocktail translates into “glow wine”.
By the time you hear how to pronounce this German cocktail, it may have already burst into flames.
This elaborate mixed drink translates into “flaming rum punch” and can serve a crowd.
Like gluhwein, this is a mulled wine drink that is often enjoyed during traditional German Christmas markets.
When you think of German cocktails you imagine umbrella drinks, right?
The swimming pool cocktail mixes classic tropical flavors like rum, coconut, and pineapple with vodka for this vibrant punch.
This cheerful cocktail is a staple for summertime parties throughout Germany.
Traditional sangria combines fresh fruits with red wine for a refreshing summertime drink.
However this is Germany, so this recipe also needs a healthy dose of beer instead of wine for this fruit punch alternative.
Steep fresh strawberries in sugar syrup and the German beer Altbier for this bright and happy celebration punch.
Apfelschorle means German apple spritzer. Apples feature heavily in German cooking for both sweet and savory meals.
This recipe is very easy to make! Combine apple cider with carbonated water for an apfelschorle.
Or add your favorite whiskey or rum to take this mocktail to a German cocktail territory.
The German cocktail heavily resembles the North American holiday treat of egg nog.
This Eierlikör, or German egg liqueur, combines egg yolks with sugar, vanilla, and rum.
Recipes for Eierlikör are complex and involve strict adherence to food safety. Make sure you are up for the challenge.
Like gluhwein, gluhbier appeals to those who like beer instead of wine.
This warming winter drink is often served right along with other mulled drinks for the holiday season.
Beer is slowly heated with cloves, star anise, and cinnamon before sugar is added.
The liquid is allowed to cool slightly and then seasoned with cherry juice before serving.
Not every German cocktail is meant for a snowy holiday evening.
Try this citrusy, bright German cocktail at your next Easter brunch or bridal shower.
The light and refreshing Hugo cocktail combines fresh mint, elderflower syrup, lime, sparkling water, and Prosecco or other sparkling wine for a delightful mixed drink.
Everybody knows the best way to get the party started is with a Jagerbomb.
This licorice-tasting liquor combines with Red Bull for a delicious, cherry popsicle-like mixed drink.
Drink it all in one go (and with caution!) by dropping a shot glass of Jagermeister into a glass of Red Bull.
There’s more than one way to drink Jagermeister.
Use this anise-forward liquor in a traditional rye whiskey Old Fashioned to deliver a new flavor profile on an old classic.
Maple syrup adds a lovely additional ingredient in this recipe that mellows out the entire cocktail for gentler sipping.
You guessed it! We have another mulled winter beverage on this list.
Apfelwein is hard apple cider, which provides the alcoholic element for mulled apfelwein.
Apple cider and brandy are added to this large-quantity recipe, in addition to warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Be sure to leave a few hours to successfully execute this traditional recipe.
Nikolaschka is not for the faint of heart!
This quirky German cocktail combines the assertive flavors of cognac, lemon, ground coffee, and sugar.
The ingredients are simple but the way to consume Nikolaschka is difficult.
All ingredients are kept separate to encourage drinkers to eat the lemon, sugar, brandy, and cognac in different ways.
There are three specific, elaborate ways to drink this German cocktail.
Germans know how to warm up after a long day outdoors.
This German cocktail now mainly resides on apres ski menus for its decadent list of ingredients.
Irish Cream liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and hot cocoa combine for a hot alcoholic drink that feels like a warm hug.
This makes a great holiday cocktail!
Final Thoughts
German cocktails know how to warm you up, both in their rich ingredients and potent alcohol content. But this country’s mixed drinks also feature light spritzers and refreshing cocktails.
German cocktails make the best out of local ingredients like beer, apples, and elderflower for tasty mixed drinks.
Check out famous German beers if you prefer a beer over a cocktail!
