The end of November officially marks the start of the Christmas season. Cities are dressed up in colorful lights, shop windows are filled with gifts, and plans for Christmas Eve begin to take shape. But above all, the Christmas markets open their doors, becoming one of the most magical experiences of Christmas.
These spaces are the perfect place to find unique gifts and handmade decorations. They also offer an irresistible variety of appetizers, sweets, and Christmas snacks to enjoy with our Cuban mini cigars.
Lebkuchen (Christkindlesmarkt, Germany)
This is one of the oldest and most popular markets in the world. Held in Nuremberg, it is inaugurated every year by Christkind, a female figure responsible for distributing gifts to children. At this market, you can find typical local products, as well as Christmas crafts to give as gifts or take home as souvenirs, but if there is one thing that stands out, it is the culinary offerings.
In addition to Nuremberg’s famous bratwurst sausage, you can’t visit this market without trying lebkuchen, or gingerbread cookies. Lebkuchen, a product with protected designation of origin, follows a very strict recipe in terms of ingredients. With its creamy nutty flavor, it’s the perfect snack to accompany a Montecristo Short.
Bredele (Christmas Market, France)
Self-designated as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg offers magical scenes throughout its historic center. The Christmas Market takes place at different locations around the city, where you can find not only traditional products, but also experiences: from Christmas exhibitions in museums to activities with your pets.
The Strasbourg market also offers a wide variety of gourmet treats. Its mulled wine and spaetzle are the perfect choice to warm you up. However, one of its most notable specialties is bredele, Alsatian cookies that come in a thousand variations: with butter, chocolate chips, almonds… And all of them pair wonderfully with the smoothness of Guantanamera Puritos.
Hot Chocolate (Winter Village, USA)
Christmas is also a big deal on the other side of the Atlantic. In New York, there’s the traditional Winter Village, a market in Bryant Park, Manhattan. Lit up by hundreds of colorful lights, it’s a great place to buy Christmas gifts, hang out with friends, and, best of all, go ice skating on the huge rink that is open every Christmas for free.
Winter Village offers visitors international food stalls, with German pretzels being a particular highlight. However, its strong point is hot chocolate, the best option for coping with the New York winter. To increase the flavor of this Christmas classic, we suggest pairing it with a Partagás Chicos mini cigar, which is intense and full of nuances.
Hot Apple Cider (Distillery Winter Village, Canada)
Located in the heart of Toronto, Distillery Winter Village is a Christmas market held in a former industrial neighborhood. Thanks to the brick buildings and Christmas lights, it offers a cozy atmosphere. Along its cobblestone streets, you’ll find handmade products, Christmas carols, immersive experiences, and themed photo ops to make a hit on social media.
Distillery Winter Village is also the perfect place to enjoy a snack. From Labubus cotton candy to Michelin-starred restaurants, there is something for everyone. However, its hot apple cider stands out, which is sometimes served with a dash of cinnamon whiskey and whipped cream. Sweet and powerful, it is perfect to accompany a Punch Mini.
Wagashi (Tokyo Christmas Market, Japan)
Christmas fever isn’t just a Western phenomenon. Proof of this is the Jingu Gaien Tokyo Christmas Market, Japan’s largest Christmas market. Inspired by Germany, it offers an experience designed to take visitors on a trip around Europe without leaving Japan. Although it is open to families, its main audience is couples, as Christmas in Japan is considered the most romantic time of the year.
At this market, we find traditional Japanese Christmas sweets such as wagashi, made with rice flour and red bean paste, which are perfect for tea ceremonies as they are not overly sweet. This makes them a wonderful pairing with a subtle and romantic mini like Romeo y Julieta Club.
From their shows to their cuisine, Christmas markets are the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories. Strolling through their streets reveals the most traditional and magical side of Christmas. An experience that is even more authentic when paired with our Cuban mini cigars.
