A winter fairytale in red and white
There are things you only do in winter: searching for gloves that always seem to disappear one by one, wondering whether it "too cold/too warm/too wet for mulled wine," and then finding yourself holding a mug of the steaming winter drink anyway. Perhaps it's the combination of warmth, wine, and a touch of nostalgia that makes us say, with the first sip: "This is Christmas." At the Lübeck Christmas market , you'll find mulled wine that tells stories. Of the harbor and the starry forest, of elderberries and Scandinavian glögg.
Whether in delicate white, deep red, fruity, spicy or with a touch of extravagance: Yvonne Heistermann, President of the Sommelier Union Germany , sums it up perfectly.
"A good mulled wine should really taste like wine. Not harsh or alcoholic, but with aromas of Christmas spices and a hint of sweetness."
Join me for the Lübeck ZWISCHENZEILEN Join us for a tour of seven stalls where you'll discover the taste of winter. And perhaps a little magic, too. We've included a link to a digital map at the bottom to help you find your way.
7 towers – 7 tips
Broad Street
We're starting right away with one of my pet projects and heading to the stand of the Lodge " To the Seven Towers elderberry punch supports a very good cause. The lodge has been running the stand for many years on a voluntary basis, together with members of the Kiwanis Club and the Roundtable Club. The elderberry punch is prepared according to an old family recipe, which is guarded like a little treasure. If you like, you can add a shot of rum or Amaretto. This deep purple drink tells stories of care and community spirit, because the proceeds are used, among other things, to finance excursions for residents of the city's retirement and nursing homes.
Drehbrückenplatz
The sailor's punch – based on a blend of Merlot and Syrah – steams in my mug. It was developed, produced, and bottled by the Fangfrisch team in Lübeck. Winter spices and marzipan give this punch its distinctive flavor. Not too sweet. Just the way I like my punch. Although I also enjoy the apple punch: apple juice from orchards, ginger, and star anise blend together for a warming treat. The maritime atmosphere mingles with the sounds of live music. At the harbor festival on Drehbrückenplatz, you can taste the region: a sip of Lübeck, a moment of home.
market
Bernd Petrick and his Finnish wife Annika Salonen 's stall at the traditional Christmas market by the town hall is always crowded. Their Christmas punch, in which raisins and hazelnuts dance like the first frost on the windowpanes, is a popular choice. My favorite here is " Lumikki "—a white mulled wine, clear and light. White wine has no tannins. It also often contains less alcohol than red mulled wine. Incidentally, Lumikki means Snow White. I only know that because I looked it up. So far, I haven't dared to attempt learning this crazy language with its 15 cases. But at least this way I've already got a taste of Finland in my mug—a wonderfully warming Nordic flavor.
market
Organic mulled wine and marzipan punch – sweet, slightly nutty, and surprisingly vegan. Under the mighty fir tree in the heart of Lübeck sustainability celebrated without compromising on taste. Fair trade products are also increasingly available at the stalls. And when it comes to food and drink, organic is now the norm in many places. With my marzipan punch in hand, I watch the market visitors strolling by. The traditional Christmas market has been attracting people for centuries. Under the glittering canopy of lights, I feel a special connection to Lübeck.
Koberg
You can experience a touch of Estonia in the heart of the Hanseatic city at the Finnish Tallinn stand on Koberg, right next to the Ferris wheel. The vendors come from Estonia every year specifically for the Christmas market in Lübeck. The Estonian mulled wine is made from aronia berries. These black berries have a tart, slightly bitter taste and are a truly delicious base for this robust mulled wine. The berries are very healthy, as they are rich in antioxidants. Whether this positive health effect is also noticeable when consumed with alcohol is something we would need to investigate…
Star Forest
The starlight casts delicate shadows on the steps. The Star Hut in the Starry Forest offers 40 seats. The warm lighting, the scent of pine branches, and the sound of Christmas music create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere inside. Here you can easily meet others, strike up conversations, and enjoy the little joys of Advent together. For me, the Star Hut is the perfect blend of conviviality and a place of retreat.
Historical Christmas market
A clay mug, rustic and heavy in the hand. Cherry, currant, elderberry, and mead blend into a drink that sounds like an echo from a bygone era. The historical Christmas market at the foot of St. Mary's Church lives and breathes the Middle Ages: torches flicker, voices murmur, and the "Dragon's Blood" from the Dragon's Blood Tavern warms you from the inside out.
The Lübeck Christmas market is more than just a place for mulled wine and punch. In our blog article "7 Tips for the Christmas Market," you'll find further recommendations for your visit. Enjoy the slow flow of time as evening settles over the World Heritage Old Town. You're right in the heart of the magic of Advent.
Our digital floor plan will help you search and find what you're looking for.
