Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik: The Capital of Christmas Markets Since 1570

Yeah, Christopher Columbus’s kids may have dropped by Strasbourg for some spiced wine and locally made handcrafts prior to following their father’s footsteps and sailing to the New World.  Strasbourg has records going back to 1570 stating that they have hosted a Christmas market since those early days.  I would say they have the right to call Strasbourg the Christmas Market capital of Europe.

The horse pulled carts and gas lamps have long been replaced, but the concept of eating locally made food and buying handcrafted Christmas goodies is still the central theme.  Strasbourg sets the tone with Christmas lights decorating the main streets, buildings, and central plaza.  The Christmas tree in the central plaza is a massive 100 feet tall pine and is decked out with lights and decorations.

With the cold weather and ground covered with snow, it felt even more so like Christmas.  We entered the Christmas market to see what the independent vendors had to offer.  You can buy just about everything Christmas related from ceramic manger scenes, blown glass Christmas bulbs, to hand knit doilies.  Food of course was to be found.  My wife sampled a chocolate filled donut while I had a classic crepe with sugar and cinnamon.   There were plenty of other goodies to be found from gingerbread cookies, fruit skewers dipped in chocolate, sandwiches loaded with cheese and ham, and spicy hot wine.  

I could smell the aroma of cinnamon and anise emanating from the steamy caldrons of spiced hot wine sold by many of the vendors.  I have also seen it called Glog in the U.S.  Spiced wine can be thought of as the European equivalent of hot spiced cider.  When the temperatures are chilly cold, there is nothing like drinking something warm like spiced hot wine or hot chocolate.  If you want to give spiced wine a try, here is my wife's prized family recipe that you can use: 

Hot Spiced Wine Recipe

1 bottle red wine

1 bottle water (same quantity as wine)

7 tbsp sugar

4 anise pods (or substitute cloves)

4 sticks cinnamon

1 orange

1.       Pour water into a pot on stove top, add sugar, cinnamon and anise into the water.

2.       Bring this to a slow boil for 5 minutes and stir. Remove from heat.

3.       Now add the wine. Any red table wine will work.

4.       Slice orange and add to pot.

5.       Warm this on low heat for 10 minutes but do not boil.  Enjoy.