During my trip to Munich, I indulged in the delights of the Christmas Markets, including a unique drink called Feuerzangenbowle. We sampled this intriguing beverage at the Tollwood Festival, an ethnic and organic market held at the Theresienwiese Fairground, the same place where the famous Oktoberfest beer festival occurs in autumn.

Feuerzangenbowle is a twist on mulled wine, with an added kick from rum and amaretto liqueur. It was served in an earthenware mug with a spout, which held a lump of sugar. A shot of spirit was poured over the sugar, and then the whole concoction was set on fire. The blue flames danced over the drink, similar to how we flame a Christmas pudding. We had to wait for the flames to die down and the mug to cool before we could take a sip. The vapors hit the back of my throat, making me cough, but soon the warm glow of rum took over.

I quickly understood why these mulled wines are a favorite at the Christmas markets. The bitter cold seemed to disappear with each sip, making it easier to forget the freezing temperatures.

We stayed in Munich at Hotel Falkenturm, a cozy 2-star hotel conveniently located for sightseeing. During the trip, I used the pocket-sized DK Eyewitness Top 10 guide to Munich, which I found perfect for short visits.