Kinderpunsch, A Warm German Christmas Punch and Easy Party Recipe 

There’s something especially inviting about wrapping your hands around a warm mug on a cold December evening. At a German Christmas market, Glühwein, or warm spiced mulled wine, is closely associated with strolling among glowing lights and market stalls. 

But there’s another warm, festive option that everyone can enjoy. Kinderpunsch, or “children’s punch,” is a warm, non-alcoholic punch made with fruit flavors and fragrant holiday spices. Recipes vary, but fruit juice, cinnamon, cloves, and other warming spices are common ingredients.   

Kinderpunsch and German Christmas Markets 

Christmas markets have deep roots in Europe, particularly in German-speaking regions, although the markets we recognize today developed over centuries. Historical records document December markets as far back as the Middle Ages. Over time, Christmas markets became places to gather for seasonal foods, gifts, and warm drinks. 

Glühwein became one of the best-known drinks associated with German Christmas markets and remains so today. Non-alcoholic punches such as Kinderpunsch offer a warm alternative to younger guests and anyone choosing not to drink alcohol. 

Sharing a warm drink together also captures something of the feeling of Gemütlichkeit. There is no single English translation that captures its full meaning. But it is German word that conveys warmth, friendliness, comfort, good cheer, and a sense of belonging. 

That feeling of gathering together is part of the wonder of a Christkindlmarkt. It is also part of the authentic cultural experience Christkindlmarkt Dublin hopes to share with guests throughout its European holiday village. 

Our Easy Holiday Kinderpunsch 

This version is wonderfully simple and designed for a crowd. 

Ingredients 

3 bottles non-alcoholic red wine 

4 cinnamon sticks 

24 whole cloves 

18 dashes allspice 

Approximately 1 cup orange juice, plus more to taste 

Directions 

Pour the non-alcoholic red wine into a crock pot and add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and orange juice. 

Warm gently over low to medium-low heat for 3+ hours, allowing the spices to infuse the punch. Avoid a vigorous boil. Taste as it warms and add additional orange juice if you’d like a brighter citrus flavor. 

Before serving, remove or strain out the whole spices. 

Pour into your favorite holiday mugs and serve warm. 

Recipe note: Because brands of non-alcoholic red wine vary in bottle size, sweetness and flavor, consider this a flexible party recipe. Start with the listed orange juice and adjust to taste. 

Make It Your Own 

Part of the fun is setting out a few simple additions and letting guests personalize their mugs. Try fresh orange slices, extra cinnamon sticks, star anise or a strip of orange peel for a festive finishing touch. 

For an adults-only variation, keep the Kinderpunsch itself alcohol-free and allow adults to customize individual servings separately, if desired. 

Bonus Idea for a Host Gift with Market Wonder 

Instead of another bottle of wine, bring your host a little Christkindlmarkt Dublin market wonder to enjoy at home. 

Pick up a Christkindlmarkt Dublin market mug for $10 and pair it with the ingredients for Kinderpunsch and a printed copy of this recipe. Add a cinnamon stick and ribbon, and you have a thoughtful holiday gift that brings a little of the wonder of the market home. 

It could also make a fun gift for teachers, neighbors, coworkers or anyone who could use a little extra warmth and Freude, the German word for joy, this season. 

And, of course, save a mug for yourself. 

Sometimes the simplest holiday traditions are the ones we remember most. Something warm to drink, people we love nearby and a little time to enjoy being together.