How to Throw a ‘Christmastime in Germany’ Holiday Party

A cheese and charcuterie board inspired by the flavors of Germany.

From the world’s first Christmas Tree, the Tannenbaum, to the legend of St. Nicholas and beloved stories like The Nutcracker, we have Germany to thank for our most iconic Christmas traditions.

If you’re planning to throw a holiday party and want a fun and different twist, get inspired by the beautiful traditions of ‘Weihnachten’— Christmastime in Germany— by serving an array of German wines and snacks!

One of the things I love most about German wines is that they’re not only delicious sipped solo, but also work really well as a cocktail component. Read on for wine cocktail recipes, German charcuterie and cheese board inspiration, and other entertaining tips sure to make your holiday party delicious and effortless.

Why German wines are ideal for hosting at home— for the holidays, or any time of year:

German wines are crowd-pleasing

The most important German wine is Riesling, which is fantastic for entertaining because it comes in a range of styles. From light, delicate, and dry, to rich, luscious, and sweet, and even sparkling: no matter your palate, there is definitely a German Riesling out there for you. If you’re having trouble finding the right bottle, German wine labels will often provide a ton of information about what to expect from the wine - if you know what you’re looking for! Words like Trocken or Grosses Gewächs signify a dry wine, while wines with labels that include Halbtrocken or Feinherb will have some noticeable sweetness. Check out this handy guide to deciphering a German wine label. No matter which wine you go with, I love Riesling because it always hits the perfect balance of fruitiness and refreshing acidity— a perfect party wine.

German wines are food-friendly

The aromatic whites and supple reds of Germany are incredibly diverse food-pairing partners. From Thanksgiving feasts and holiday dinners to potlucks, brunch, and even game-day snacks-- German wines are truly versatile! Try Riesling, Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Scheurebe, Lemberger, Silvaner, or Weissburgunder.

German wines are low in alcohol

Germany’s cooler climate means that grapes don’t ripen as fully as in warmer regions, typically resulting in slightly lower ABVs— perfect to enjoy all day long. When I have people over, my friends are a very festive group… and if I serve them spirits all evening I usually have a lot of broken glasses and tipsy people snoozing on my couch! Finding really great wines that happen to be low in alcohol is one of my biggest secret weapons to make sure there’s a nice fun flow to the night that never gets too sloppy.

German wines are affordable

You can find fantastic German wines for well under $20 a bottle… so important when stocking up for a gathering. You can absolutely fill your fridge without breaking the bank. For special occasions, I recommend Sekt: the term for German sparkling wine. Sekt is an affordable and delicious alternative to Champagne and other types of premium bubbly.

Using German wine in cocktails

One of my favorite ways to simplify home entertaining is to offer *one* signature cocktail, rather than a full bar. To simplify even further, you can make it ahead in a punch bowl or pitcher, let guests serve themselves, and not be running around all night making cocktails to order. Then you can actually relax and enjoy your own gathering! Here are two recipes I love to make with German Riesling:

Ginger Cranberry Spritz

Ginger Cranberry Spritz cocktail made with German Sekt

For a single serving, fill a wine glass with ice and add:

• 1/2 oz Ginger Syrup

• 5 oz. Riesling Sekt

• Stir to Combine

• Top with 5 dashes Fee Brothers Cranberry Bitters. Finish with a splash of sparkling water.

Alternately, in a pitcher: pour one chilled bottle of Sekt, 2.5 oz ginger syrup, and stir. Add 1.25 oz cranberry bitters and 1 cup sparkling water. Serve over ice.

The German name ‘Spritz’ appears to trace back to the 1800s when portions of the Veneto region of northern Italy were controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Soldiers from Germany and Austria were said to have found Italian wines too strong (compared to the beers they were used to) and so lightened them with a splash (a "spritz," in German) of water.

Pear Rosemary Riesling Punch with decorative ice ring

Pear Rosemary Riesling Punch

In a punch bowl, combine:

• 1 bottle Mosel Riesling

• 1 ¼ cups Pear Nectar

• ⅓ cup Ginger Syrup 

• 2 ½ tablespoons Rosemary Bitters 

• 2 cups Club Soda

  Stir all ingredients to combine. Float a festive ice ring in the punch bowl before serving.

Easy Cocktail Presentation Tips

Now that you’ve pre-batched some cocktails, here are two favorite ways to make a DIY pouring station feel elevated, fun, and interactive:

Make decorative ice cubes

Decorative ice cubes filled with fruit and flowers

Set beautiful ice cubes out for guests to help themselves

So easy and impressive: simply fill silicone ice cube molds with edible flowers, herbs, citrus zest, or berries, fill your trays with filtered water, and freeze overnight. Set out in a bucket or bowl and wow your guests!

Set up a DIY garnish station

Cocktail garnish spritz station

This idea is fun and interactive. Set out glass jars of berries, cocktail picks, decorative paper straws, herbs, edible flowers, and a selection of bitters— and let everyone customize their own spritz!

To Eat: Build a German-themed cheese and charcuterie board

German meats and cheeses are perfect for a holiday party board

The first rule of a successful cocktail party: when it comes to food, ‘set it and forget it’. Why stress yourself out juggling hot hors d'oeuvres in the oven all evening when everyone loves an epic grazing board? The cheeses, meats, and treats are meant to be best enjoyed at room temperature, so this is a great thing to make ahead.

I used German (or German-inspired) products for my holiday cheese and charcuterie board. Here are some ideas for you:

Cheeses: Emmental, Butterkase, Bavarian Champignon Triple-Creme

Meats: Speck, smoked liverwurst, bratwurst

Accompaniments: German-style honey mustard, apple butter, sauerkraut, cornichons, honey

Breads: soft pretzels (with cheese spread), German pumpernickel, sourdough sea salt crisps

To graze: Honeycrisp apples, concord grapes, Marcona almonds, dried figs, dried cherries, dried apricots

For more inspiration, this website has tons of great info about German food products- I recommend it as a wonderful reference for building your board.

Have fun mixing up your own holiday party with German wine!

Thank you to German Wine Usa for sponsoring this post.

Want More? Sip on These: