A coffee in the morning, a spritzer in the office, a glass of wine at dinner and a cup of tea before bed – Germans drink many different drinks throughout the day. I have put together a list of drinks are considered traditional in Germany, and also what people particularly like to drink on certain occasions.
In every country there are certain drinks that people particularly like to drink. Sometimes they stand for the corresponding country, sometimes for a certain time of day or a certain occasion. So there are a lot of similarities in many countries. In this article we introduce you to German drinking habits. There are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic favorites.
Popular alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages are mainly consumed on celebratory occasions. There are therefore many opportunities – from private parties to elegant gala events. These drinks also stand for sociability and are also drunk at concerts or festivals, to name just a few. Germans drink alcohol in the evening after work, to relax with a good book or with a nice dinner. There are a few drinks that are particularly popular in Gemany.
Alcohol is drunk on many “occasions” in Germany.
Beer
A traditional German drink is beer. Hardly any other country in the world records such a high beer consumption as Germany. If you order a beer in a restaurant outside of Europe, you will quickly be recognized as a German, or at least as a European.
Apart from the popular after-work beer, there are various events and occasions on which Germans particularly enjoy drinking beer. These include, for example Soccer/Football, concerts, festivals, BBQ parties, folk festivals (like the Oktoberfest).
The Bavarian or Bohemian brewing method, in which the beer is fermented gently and at low temperatures over a long period of time, is particularly popular in this country. The traditional German beers include Kolsch, Altbier, wheat beer or marches.
There are countless types and types of beer in Germany alone.
Kölsch
The Kölsch, which has been around for over 600 years, is a top-fermented full beer. A Kölsch must not only have a high percentage of original wort, but also be light, clear, dry and hoppy and produced in Cologne.
Altbier
Altbier is also a top-fermented variety that has a high content of dried malt and is therefore dark. The Altbier is mainly drunk on the Lower Rhine.
Wheat beer
Wheat beer is also known as wheat beer because it is largely made from wheat malt.
Märzen
The Märzen, on the other hand, is a bottom-fermented beer that is traditionally drunk in southern Germany.
Craft Beer
A trend that has spilled over from the USA to Germany is what is known as craft beer. This is craft beer from small breweries that come up with a lot of new beers. Above all, the use of aroma hops and special malts gives rise to a variety of new beer creations, such as: – Pale Ale and India Pale Ale (IPA) – Porter or – Stout There are also many other ales, however they are now quite widespread in Germany.
Wine
German Wine – Drinks & Beverages You Must Drink in Germany
Another alcoholic drink typical of Germany is wine. There are numerous wine-growing regions across the country in which both table wine and country wine and quality wine are grown.
The Moselle as a well-known wine-growing region in Germany. Many of these areas are located in Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony. Among the most famous types of wine – Riesling – Silvaner and – Müller-Thurgau.
All three varieties are white wines, which are mixed with fizzy water and drunk as wine spritzers. But red wine is also very popular with Germans. In contrast to white wine, this has no refreshing theater and is particularly popular in the colder months of the year.
Depending on the occasion and the food, you decide whether you want white, rosé or red wine. Exclusive wines from world-famous wine-growing regions are ideal for a fine dinner in the evening. If Riesling from Germany, Barolo from Italy or Champagne from France.
High quality wines are a treat for every wine lover. Especially with older age groups, you can toast to what is special about an event in a fitting and solemn way. In addition to the right drink for dinner and depending on the season, wine is also particularly popular with numerous types of wine in Germany.
Mulled wine
Mulled Wine – Drinks & Beverages You Must Drink in Germany
The mulled wine for cozy hours in the cold months.
Wine is particularly important during the Advent and Christmas seasons. On the one hand, red wine is very popular with the typical Christmas dishes. But as a hot variant – both in red and in white – wine is offered at this time.
The mulled wine – just like the punch – is primarily associated with a visit to a Christmas market. But you can also find the drink as a finished product in the supermarket.
Cocktails
Alcoholic cocktails are also among the exclusive drinks with which you can drink in Germany. The famous and worldwide popular cocktails “Mai Tai” or “Margarita” prepare culinary delights. The former is a mix of rum, lime juice, sugar, orange liqueur and orgeat. Various fruits are also often used. The “Margarita” consists of the classic version lime juice, tequila and orange liqueur, but the taste is often changed with fruit syrup.
Other popular cocktails: – Pina Colada – Sex on the Beach – Swimming Pool – Malibu Beach – Tequila Sunrise – Zombie – Caipirinha – B-52
When it comes to mixing cocktails, the possibilities are endless. As in other parts of the world, Germans mix several fruits together, you get a fruity-sweet non-alcoholic cocktail. In many places they press the juice or use high-quality juice from the supermarket. Popular ingredients for cocktails include orange, lemons, pineapple or banana juice. Depending on taste, two or more juices are usually mixed together. Cocktails are prepared in a shaker and filled with ice, soda or even ginger ale.
Sekt and Champagne
Strictly speaking, Sekt and champagne are wine-based beverages. They are so-called sparkling wines. However, they could also be listed as a drink in their own right, above all, because they are drunk in a special and very different way than wine is.
If you toast something or someone because there is reason to celebrate, this is usually done with sparkling wine.
Sekt and champagne are drunk on special occasions on birthdays on New Year’s Eve. in Germany, it is considered the drink to toast the new year for Christmas or at weddings.
Sekt is also considered a typical drink at galas or exhibitions and opens many a chic event. If the sparkling wine comes from the Champagne wine-growing region, it may, if it was grown and pressed according to defined rules – be called champagne. Compared to sparkling wine, this exudes a somewhat nobler, more glamorous touch and is also financially in the higher segment.
If you are interested in non-alcoholic drinks, there are both hot and cold popular that you have to try in Germany.
Mineralwasser (sparkling water)
In Germany, a traditional non-alcoholic drink is Mineralwasser, sparkling water. In many countries, when you look for carbonated “sparkling water” will have noticed that it is rarely available. Meanwhile, in Germany, sparkling water is the most popular non-alcoholic drink. There are not necessarily any special occasions for Germans to drink it. Germans drink sparkling water throughout the day in order to drink enough liquid, and especially while they work out.
Juices and Juice Spritzers
Juices or juice spritzers are also typically German if you mix them with water. The most popular types of juice include
– apple juice
– orange juice or
– multivitamin juice.
In Germany, juices are served on special occasions. The juice are freshly squeezed in this case – this not only gives the drink an intense and natural taste, but is also healthier.
Freshly squeezed apple and orange juices are classics, but exotic fruits such as passion fruit or lime are also popular. The pressed fruit juice can be mixed with crushed ice, which is a pleasant refreshment, especially in summer.
Juices are also drunk in between meals. They are especially popular with children.
Tea
If it’s not coffee than it’s tea. The tea occupies a high status in some parts of in Germany.
In East Friesland in particular, tea is also very important. The so-called East Frisian tea, a mixture of different types of black tea, is a popular drink. But other types of tea are also popular in this country camomile tea, rosehip tea, various fruit teas, various herbal teas or Rooibos Tea are some of them.
While some Germans are avid tea drinkers who enjoy the drink in the afternoon, there are also those who choose it for breakfast as a coffee substitute. Still other Germans prefer the hot drink especially on autumnal or wintry days, and then there is probably the category that associates tea with being ill and then only uses it.
Coffee
Cup of Coffee – Drinks & Beverages You Must Drink in Germany
Last but not least, and indispensable for Germans, is coffee. It is considered the typical breakfast drink and also provides the necessary caffeine kick in the afternoon and in between.
Germans drink a variety of types of coffee.
In Germany, as in many other countries, coffee and cake also bring people together. This could be a family reunion or two friends who meet briefly in the afternoon. In addition to the classic variant, there are many other popular coffee drinks that Germans like latte macchiato, cafe latte, milk coffee, cappuccino or espresso.
About the Author: Elle Johnson, travel writer living in Germany, an avid explorer fueled by wanderlust, uncovers Germany's hidden treasures. From mountains to luxury hotels, spontaneous trips to meticulous planning, she embraces diverse experiences. Join her in unraveling Germany's wonders and creating lifelong memories.
