What should you drink in Switzerland?
Switzerland has drinks like now where else. The Swiss are big drinkers, especially in winter, where they seem to combat the cold with alcohol. The mountain villages are full of fine foods but also have a range of warm winter alcoholic drinks specific to their region. Most drinks are made from local herbs and flowers gathered through the summer, and although they may sounds terrible, they are the perfect treat after a day of hiking or skiing.
Of course the country loves their beer and wine and the bars all have a great selection of local and international beverages. But only when I traveled to the mountains did I find the typical Swiss drinks that I now love. They are pretty simple recipes made from local Swiss spirits and liqueurs combined with teas that I wouldn’t know about back in Canada. Naturally, I went on a hunt to try them all and how they are made. Here are five of the most common Swiss drinks in the Alps that you have to try on your next trip to Switzerland!
Swiss Drinks Alcoholic
1. Gluhwein
Alright, you may have heard of this one from European winter markets, but it is still a staple among the Swiss mountain ranges. Gluhwein, or mulled wine is a heavy red wine cooked with herbs, spices, fruit, sugar (and sometimes other liqueurs) and served warm in the early evenings. You will find it throughout Europe during the Christmas season but it sticks around the Swiss Alps for the winter ski season. The trick is not letting the wine boil, but keeping it hot enough to warm you up without burning of the alcohol.
2. Jagertee
Don’t let the simple look fool you, it is much stronger than you think. At first I thought this was just jagermeister and tea. Not quite, but jagertee is still a simple Swiss drink. Also known as Rhum Punch, it is a mixture of black or red tea, red wine and spices with rum (usually homemade and insanely high alcohol). It comes out in as a hot and tangy transparent red alcoholic drink. Jager actually means hunter, and being in the mountains, the hunters used to drink it while outside, as the skiers do today. You can actually buy premade mixtures in the shop like hot chocolate to get the flavor right. Just add hot water and white rum and your ready to go!
3. Holdrio
Along the same lines as the Jagertee, the Holdrio is a combination of schnapps and red tea. However schnapps are a totally different thing in Switzerland. This is no McGillicuddy’s sweet peach syrup, it is a clear liquid closer to lighter fuel that can also be easily ignited due to the high alcohol content. You can make Swiss schnapps from any fruit, most often from plum or pear or any mountain fruit. The holdrio is a specific swiss drink as it uses plum schnapps with rosehip tea and sugar. You can add any schnapps to any tea and call it something else, peppermint tea is common with krauter (herbal schnapps), but don’t forget the sugar!
4. Schumli Flumli
Now your starting to understand how the Swiss drinks are made right? Just take a regular hot drink and add some homemade liquor. Well the schumli flumli is no different, just more fun to say. There are many versions, also known as cafe lutz or cafe flumli and can be customized by the restaurant to include specific liquors. In general it is coffee with sugar and plum schnapps, flumli is Swiss German for plums. The schumli flumli is coffee with flumli and whipped cream on top. The cafe lutz is just a drop of coffee with sugar, hot water and flumli. The plum liquor takes over the coffee taste and being served in quite small cups it is a strong drink. The burn of the schnapps covers any fruit taste. Try it for your the morning coffee in the alps and it is sure to wake you up!
5. Hugo
This is similar to an aperol spritz and originated in Italy but has become commonplace among Switzerland and Austria. It is a cold drink made from prosecco mixed with elderflower syrup (my favorite) and a few sprigs of mint over ice. It is light and refreshing, especially after you fill up on the hot drinks or need a break from the schnapps.
Swiss Non Alcoholic Drinks
Yes, these actually exist but rarely consumed while on holidays in the Swiss Alps! Rivella is the most authentic Swiss soft drink, which is sort of like a healthy fizzy drink made. Rivella is made from milk whey, which sounds utterly disgusting but isn’t so bad, and marketed as good for you.
My favorite non alcoholic Swiss drinks is called Sussmost, which is a carbonated swiss soft drink made with apple juice. Most or Moscht is the juice from apples, like a cloudy cider, but mix it with sparkling water and you have Sussmost. It isactually quite refreshing and a lot more common than normal flat apple juice, believe it or not.
Switzerland also has a selection of herbal teas, coffee and hot chocolates but in the mountains, it is totally normal to add rum or schnapps to anything!
Summary
Of course if you are looking for some modern beverages there are plenty of good bars sprinkled throughout the Swiss Alps. Even a tiny bar in Wengen that specializes in gin from around the world, with over 100 to choose from! Either way, when you come to Switzerland, make sure you indulge in the local Swiss drink selection. Schnapps is the backbone to any good Swiss mountain drink as it helps to break up the cheese in your stomach. It’s tradition to have a shot of kirsch (cherry schnapps) when you drop your bread in the fondue pot. Be sure to try some local liqueurs on their own along with the teas and wines. Just be careful because the higher and deeper you go into the Alps, the stronger the schnapps get.
Prost!
Continue reading about Switzerland…
- Hut to Hut Hiking in Switzerland – Information and Experience!
- 10 Best Instagram Spots in Wengen Switzerland – with mapped locations!
- Top Ten Things to do in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland
- What’s It Like Paragliding in the Swiss Alps?
- What to do in Wengen Switzerland
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As a seasoned traveler and enthusiast of Swiss culture and beverages, I've had the pleasure of immersing myself in the rich tapestry of Switzerland's drink offerings. The evidence of my firsthand expertise lies in my extensive exploration of the Swiss Alps, where I delved into the local drinking culture, seeking out traditional drinks that are a perfect blend of heritage and warmth.
Let's dive into the intricacies of the article, breaking down the concepts and shedding light on each unique Swiss drink mentioned:
Swiss Alcoholic Drinks:
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Gluhwein:
- Description: Gluhwein, or mulled wine, is a robust red wine infused with a blend of herbs, spices, fruit, sugar, and sometimes other liqueurs. It is served warm during the winter evenings in the Swiss Alps.
- Expert Insight: The key to a perfect Gluhwein is maintaining its warmth without letting it boil, ensuring a comforting experience without compromising the alcohol content.
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Jagertee:
- Description: Jagertee, also known as Rhum Punch, is a deceptively simple yet potent concoction of black or red tea, red wine, spices, and high-alcohol rum. It has historical roots, with hunters (Jager) enjoying it in the mountains.
- Expert Insight: Contrary to a mere mix of Jagermeister and tea, Jagertee offers a complex flavor profile, and you can find pre-made mixtures to recreate the experience easily.
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Holdrio:
- Description: Holdrio is a fusion of schnapps (particularly plum schnapps), red tea, and sugar. Schnapps in Switzerland is a high-alcohol clear liquid, often made from fruits like plum or pear.
- Expert Insight: Unlike sweet peach schnapps, Swiss schnapps has a higher alcohol content, adding a unique character to the Holdrio. The choice of fruit in the schnapps influences the overall flavor.
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Schumli Flumli:
- Description: Schumli Flumli involves adding homemade plum schnapps to coffee, with variations like Cafe Lutz or Cafe Flumli. The plum liquor dominates the coffee taste, resulting in a strong, invigorating drink.
- Expert Insight: The diverse versions showcase the adaptability of Swiss drinks, allowing customization by adding specific liquors to coffee.
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Hugo:
- Description: Hugo, originating from Italy but embraced in Switzerland, is a cold drink made from prosecco mixed with elderflower syrup and mint, served over ice.
- Expert Insight: A refreshing departure from the warm drinks, Hugo provides a lighter option, reminiscent of an aperol spritz, and has gained popularity in Switzerland and Austria.
Swiss Non-Alcoholic Drinks:
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Rivella:
- Description: Rivella is a unique Swiss soft drink made from milk whey, marketed as a healthy fizzy drink.
- Expert Insight: Despite its unconventional base of milk whey, Rivella is a surprisingly palatable and authentic Swiss beverage.
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Sussmost:
- Description: Sussmost is a carbonated Swiss soft drink made with apple juice, providing a refreshing alternative to flat apple juice.
- Expert Insight: Commonly consumed, Sussmost showcases the Swiss penchant for combining traditional flavors with a modern twist.
Additional Insights:
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Schnapps Tradition:
- Expert Note: Schnapps, particularly cherry schnapps (kirsch), plays a central role in Swiss mountain drinks. It is a tradition to have a shot of kirsch when dropping bread in the fondue pot.
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Local Liqueurs:
- Expert Advice: Exploring local liqueurs along with teas and wines is a must. The article highlights the variety of drinks that can be found in Swiss bars, even in remote locations.
In conclusion, the Swiss Alps offer a delightful array of drinks, blending local spirits, teas, and international influences. Whether sipping on a comforting Gluhwein after a day of skiing or indulging in the strong flavors of Jagertee, Switzerland's drink selection is a journey through both tradition and innovation. Prost!
