What are the most popular apres ski drinks? Here are the eight classics that work in every hut – from Jagertee to Feuerzangenbowle – plus concrete recipes with quantities for 4 people. Plus: which glass and serving style turns the drink into a photo highlight. Practical, without the slope poetry.
💡 By the way: that's exactly why we built the SwigSki3000® — four people, one ski, one shot in sync. More on that below ↓
Apres ski drinks are the warm, high-proof drinks served in the hut after skiing – above all Jagertee and mulled wine, plus clear schnapps like Williams pear and show drinks like Feuerzangenbowle. Typical traits: hot, spiced, sociable.
The 8 Most Popular Apres Ski Drinks (Quick Overview)
- Jagertee – black tea, rum, spices – the Austrian king
- Mulled wine – red wine, cinnamon, clove, orange – a must-have
- Hot Hugo – elderflower, prosecco, served warm
- Williams pear schnapps (cold) – a fine brandy for the classic Shotski
- Egg liqueur with cream – the sweet emergency brake after three shots
- Apple strudel shot – Mariacron + apple juice + cinnamon
- Feuerzangenbowle – mulled wine with a flaming sugar cone, the hut spectacle
- Hot chocolate with a shot – Amaretto, Baileys or rum
1. Jagertee: The Classic for 4 People
Jagertee is the apres ski drink. It's a protected name in Austria (at least 22.9% ABV) – at home, you can mix it to your own taste.
- 1 litre strong black tea, freshly brewed
- 250 ml Inländer rum (or dark rum)
- 250 ml red wine
- 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 cloves, 1 star anise
- Sugar or honey to taste (2-4 tbsp)
- 1 organic lemon, sliced
Put all ingredients in a large pot and heat slowly – don't let it boil (or the alcohol evaporates). Let it steep for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine sieve into a serving jug.
2. Mulled Wine: Homemade, Not From a Bottle
The difference between supermarket mulled wine and homemade? Worlds apart in taste. For 4 people:
- 1 bottle dry red wine (e.g. Pinot Noir, Merlot)
- 1 organic orange, sliced
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, 1 star anise
- Optional: 4 cl dark rum as a "shot"
Let it steep for 30 minutes at a low temperature. If you like it sweeter, add a splash of Williams pear schnapps.
The Shotski: Why Drinks Served on Skis Are More Fun
A single shot is just a shot. Four shots on one wooden ski, all tipped back at the same moment, are an event. The concept comes from US ski lodges and has long since become an apres ski classic. The SwigSki3000® is the modular version: you click between 2 and 12 shot glasses onto a wooden ski – adapting to the group size without swapping skis.
Shots on skis – @apresallstars
Which Glass for Which Drink?
The right glass shape matters more than most people think. A rule of thumb for the hut:
- Clear shots (Williams pear, vodka, Korn) → ski boot shot glass – the look underlines the drink
- Warm drinks (Jagertee, mulled wine) → a classic earthenware jug or thick-walled mug
- Creamy shots (egg liqueur, Baileys shot) → a thick-bottomed stamper glass
- Hot chocolate → a tall mug, topped with whipped cream
Shot Slope: The Serving Highlight for Clear Shots
Once you've let shots glide down a mini ice slalom run, you'll never serve them the normal way again. The Shot Slope is a freezable silicone mould: 24 hours in the freezer, then you pour the schnapps in at the top, it flows down the slalom run and lands pre-chilled in the glass. The trick also works with egg liqueur (creamy liquid slides slower, the effect is different, but still worth watching).
Non-Alcoholic Alternatives: Not a Compromise, Just Good
If you don't want to risk the drive home – or have guests with kids – you need non-alcoholic options that don't taste like a compromise:
- Kinderpunsch made from apple juice, orange juice, cinnamon, clove, star anise – tastes surprisingly close to mulled wine
- Hot chocolate with salted caramel syrup instead of schnapps
- Hot Almdudler (sounds odd, works)
- Hot elderflower – elderflower syrup with hot water, a lemon slice
- Non-alcoholic mojito for summer apres ski
Pro Tip: How to Serve Apres Ski Drinks the Right Way
- Keep warm drinks covered until serving – it keeps the heat in. An old cloth over the jug is enough.
- Don't boil the schnapps – the alcohol evaporates from around 70°C (158°F)
- Fresh spices beat ground spices – always use whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves
- Organic citrus fruit for warm drinks – the peel gets drunk along with it
- Pre-chill the shot glasses for clear shots – the taste comes through cleaner
- Have water ready – one glass of water per alcoholic drink prevents the mega hangover
Frequently Asked Questions About Apres Ski Drinks
What are the typical apres ski drinks?
The eight classics are: Jagertee (black tea + rum + red wine), mulled wine (red wine + spices), Williams pear schnapps, egg liqueur, hot Hugo, apple strudel shot, Feuerzangenbowle and hot chocolate with a shot. Jagertee and mulled wine are a must in every hut, the rest varies by region.
What exactly is Jagertee?
Jagertee is an Austrian hot drink made from black tea, Inländer rum, often red wine, and spices (cinnamon, cloves, star anise, lemon). It's legally protected in Austria: only blends with at least 22.9% ABV may be called "Jagatee". Home rule of thumb: 1 litre tea, 250 ml rum, 250 ml red wine.
How much alcohol does mulled wine have?
Classic mulled wine sits at 9-10% ABV – not much less than the red wine it's made from, since alcohol only evaporates from around 78°C (172°F) and mulled wine is served at 60-70°C (140-158°F). Homemade, you can raise the strength with a shot of rum or lower it with apple juice.
What is a Shotski and where does it come from?
A Shotski is a wooden ski with 2 to 12 holders for shot glasses. Several people tip back their shot at the same time. It comes from US ski resorts (Aspen, Park City) and is by now standard from Ischgl to Saalbach. The modular SwigSki3000® adapts to the group size.
Which glass suits which apres ski drink?
Clear shots (Williams pear, vodka, Korn) look best in ski boot shot glasses. Warm drinks (mulled wine, Jagertee) need thick-walled earthenware jugs or mugs. Creamy shots (egg liqueur, Baileys) belong in thick-bottomed stamper glasses. Hot chocolate belongs in a tall mug.
Which non-alcoholic apres ski drinks actually taste good?
The best non-alcoholic options: Kinderpunsch (apple juice + orange juice + mulled wine spices), hot chocolate with salted caramel syrup, hot elderflower or hot Almdudler. Tip: serve them in the same nice mugs as the alcoholic drinks.