Glühwein, Kinderpunsch and the mug question
Glühwein is mulled wine. For a drink without alcohol, ask explicitly for ein alkoholfreies Heißgetränk or check the available Kinderpunsch. Nuremberg’s official market pages describe mulled wine and an alcohol-free alternative and specific vegan food and drink options. Availability must still be checked at the stall you visit.
If a sign lists Pfand for the mug, ask whether it is included in the displayed total and where to return the mug. Do not assume that a Christmas-market mug follows the same return arrangements as a supermarket bottle. The original questions below work without inventing a standard deposit amount.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Einen Kinderpunsch, bitte. | One children’s punch, please. |
| Ist das Getränk alkoholfrei? | Is the drink alcohol-free? |
| Ist das Pfand schon im Preis enthalten? | Is the deposit already included in the price? |
| Wo kann ich die Tasse zurückgeben? | Where can I return the mug? |
A short market exchange and a check
| Speaker | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| Customer | Guten Abend. Ich hätte gern einen Kinderpunsch. | Good evening. I would like a children’s punch. |
| Seller | Gern. Sonst noch etwas? | Of course. Anything else? |
| Customer | Nein, danke. Ist das Pfand schon im Preis enthalten? | No, thank you. Is the deposit already included in the price? |
| Seller | Ja. Die Tasse können Sie hier zurückgeben. | Yes. You can return the mug here. |
Practice: The seller asks Sonst noch etwas?. Are they asking what ingredients the drink contains or whether you want anything else?
Show answer
Answer: whether you want anything else. Say Nein, danke or add your next item.
Change the drink and practise asking one follow-up. For the wider visit, see German Christmas traditions. For a full meal out, continue with ordering food in German.
Two worked examples
These additional examples and checks were written for this focused lesson.
Haben Sie ein alkoholfreies Heißgetränk? – Ja, einen Kinderpunsch.
Do you have a non-alcoholic hot drink? – Yes, a children’s punch. The question states the requirement clearly.
Kommt das Pfand noch dazu? – Ja. Die Tasse geben Sie bitte an diesem Stand zurück.
Is the deposit extra? – Yes. Please return the mug to this stall. These are fictional answers, not rules for every market.
Check the situation
A sign says plus Pfand. Is the deposit already included in the stated drink price?
Show answer
No. Plus Pfand indicates an added deposit. Ask for the total if the amount is unclear.
Can a Christmas-market mug always be returned to a supermarket bottle machine?
Show answer
No. Mug arrangements depend on the event or stall. Ask Wo kann ich die Tasse zurückgeben?
Does Sonst noch etwas? ask whether the drink contains alcohol?
Show answer
No. It asks whether you want anything else. To ask about alcohol, say Ist das Getränk alkoholfrei?
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