In the evening, steam rises from the Häferl – Austrian for mugs with a handle – in front of the Christl-Alm hut: a Glühwein (hot mulled wine, spiced with cinnamon, cloves and orange) for the grown-ups, two Kinderpunsch (alcohol-free punch for children) for the kids. We at the Salzburg Christmas market at Mirabellplatz explain what’s in Glühwein, Glühmost (hot spiced cider), Punsch and Kinderpunsch, and where you’ll find them at our market.
What is the difference between Glühwein and Punsch? Glühwein is hot, spiced wine – red, white or rosé. In Austria, Punsch is usually based on fruit juice or tea and often mixed with a shot of rum or schnapps; Kinderpunsch contains no alcohol at all.
We introduce all the huts at Mirabellplatz on our exhibitors page.
The four classics at a glance
| Drink | Base | Alcohol | Where to find it at Mirabellplatz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glühwein | red, white or rosé wine, sugar, spices | yes | Christl-Alm, Alexander Reisinger |
| Glühmost | Most (fermented fruit juice, i.e. hard cider), spices | yes | Christl-Alm, Alexander Reisinger |
| Orangenpunsch (orange Punsch) | orange juice, spices, usually with a shot | usually yes | Alexander Reisinger |
| Kinderpunsch | fruit juice or tea, spices | no | Christl-Alm, Alexander Reisinger |
These are the classic Austrian Christmas market drinks, but the recipes vary from hut to hut. If you want to know exactly what’s in yours, just ask at the counter.
What is Glühwein? Austria’s mulled wine
Glühwein is Austria’s (and Germany’s) mulled wine: heated red, white or rosé wine, sweetened and spiced above all with cinnamon and cloves. The name is protected in the EU: Glühwein may only be made from wine, no water may be added, and it has at least 7 per cent alcohol.
At Christl-Alm there’s homemade Glühwein made “to Grandpa Sepp’s old secret recipe”. The Neureiter family from St. Koloman has been a fixture at our market for more than 35 years. You can also get Glühwein from Alexander Reisinger.
What is Glühmost?
Glühmost is the version made with Most instead of wine. In Austria, Most is fermented apple or pear juice – in other words, a fruit wine. Heated and spiced, it tastes fruitier than Glühwein. At our market you’ll find Glühmost at Christl-Alm and at Alexander Reisinger.
What are Punsch and Kinderpunsch?
In Austria, Punsch is usually a hot drink made from fruit juice or tea with spices, often with a shot of rum or schnapps – so not the cold punch you may know from parties. With Orangenpunsch, orange juice is the base. At our market you can get Orangenpunsch from Alexander Reisinger, who has two huts at Mirabellplatz.
Kinderpunsch is the alcohol-free version: warm, fruity and spiced. That way children and anyone who’s driving can join in too. You’ll find Kinderpunsch at Christl-Alm and at Alexander Reisinger, and Reisinger also has coffee.
Our exhibitors
Who serves what, who bakes Bauernkrapfen (traditional fried dough pastries), who has Salzburger Brezen (Salzburg-style pretzels)? Get to know the huts at Mirabellplatz.
Alcohol, age and mugs
- From what age? In Salzburg, young people aged 16 and over may drink wine, Most and beer; drinks containing schnapps or rum only from 18. So a Punsch with a shot is only for those aged 18 and over.
- How strong is Glühwein? At least 7 per cent alcohol, more depending on the recipe.
- Mugs and deposit: at our market you drink from mugs with a design, and there are new ones every year. The deposit is 4 euros per mug (as of 2026); you get it back when you return the mug.
To take home, you’ll find tea and spices at the St. Wolfganger Kräuterhaus. What there is to eat with your Glühwein is in our article on food and drink at Mirabellplatz.
Opening hours & getting here
Our Christmas market in front of Schloss Mirabell (Mirabell Palace) is open daily from 19 November to 31 December, and entry is free. Here are our opening hours and how to get here.
If you’d like to visit several markets in one day, our overview of the Salzburg Christmas markets will help.
Frequently asked questions
Glühwein is hot, spiced wine. In Austria, Punsch is usually based on fruit juice or tea and often mixed with rum or schnapps. Kinderpunsch is the version without alcohol.
Glühmost is heated, spiced Most. In Austria, Most is fermented apple or pear juice. At Mirabellplatz you’ll find Glühmost at Christl-Alm and at Alexander Reisinger.
No. Kinderpunsch is alcohol-free and made from fruit juice or tea with spices. At our market you’ll find it at Christl-Alm and at Alexander Reisinger.
Under EU law, Glühwein has at least 7 per cent alcohol, more depending on the recipe. You can ask at the hut how strong a particular Glühwein is.
Glühwein without a shot from 16. Drinks containing schnapps or rum, such as Glühwein or Punsch with a shot, are only allowed from 18 in Salzburg.
At Mirabellplatz you pay a deposit of 4 euros per mug (as of 2026). You get it back when you return the mug. We have new designs every year.
Sources
All retrieved on 23 October 2026: exhibitors page of the Christmas market at Mirabellplatz (Christl-Alm, Alexander Reisinger, St. Wolfganger Kräuterhaus) · Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 on aromatised wine products, Annex II, Part B, No 8 (Glühwein) · Austrian Fruit Wine Regulation (Obstweinverordnung), § 3 · Salzburg Youth Act (Salzburger Jugendgesetz), § 36(1) · Information from the association on the mug deposit (October 2026)