Svařák, grog and hot mead: what is in the cup at a Prague winter market

In December, Prague smells of cloves and cinnamon. On every square a stall sells something hot in a mug. Here is what is in them, and how to choose.

Svařák

Svařák (short for svařené víno, "cooked wine") is Czech mulled wine. Red wine is heated with sugar, cloves, cinnamon and often orange or lemon. White versions exist too. The wine should not boil, which burns off the flavour; good stalls keep it hot, not bubbling.

The wine at a market is usually inexpensive table wine. If you want a better one, make it at home with a bottle you would be happy to drink cold, and use whole spices rather than powder. A cloudy, oversweet cup tells you that the stall relies on sugar to cover the wine.

Grog

Grog is hot water with rum, sugar and lemon. In Czechia the rum is often a local spirit sold as tuzemák (a beet-sugar spirit sold as an alternative to rum) or real rum. Grog is strong, and you can ask for it slabý (weak). It is a winter cure for a cold evening, and a staple at ski huts.

Punč

Punč (punch) is a hot fruit drink, often fruit juice and tea with spirits added. Flavours vary by stall: apple, orange, forest fruits. Some are non-alcoholic. Ask s alkoholem nebo bez? (with alcohol or without?) because the cup looks the same either way.

Medovina

Medovina is mead, a honey wine. It is served hot at markets and cold in bottles. See mead in Czechia for the details. It is sweet and strong, with a warm finish, and it is the one to choose if you find mulled wine too sharp.

Becherovka and tonic

Another drink for winter and summer alike is Becherovka, a herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary, mixed with tonic water and nicknamed beton (concrete). It is not hot, but it appears on the same menus. See Becherovka and Czech spirits explained.

Non-alcoholic options

Hot chocolate (horká čokoláda) is thick and often served with cream. Hot apple juice or spiced tea (svařené jablko, čaj) is common at markets for children, and some stalls offer a children's punch (dětský punč), a hot fruit drink without alcohol. If you are driving, pregnant or taking medication, this is the section to read.

Deposits and mugs

Many stalls serve drinks in ceramic mugs with a deposit (záloha). You pay the deposit with the drink and get the money back when you return the mug. Some markets let you keep the mug as a souvenir, so ask at the stall. Keep the token or receipt and return the mug before you leave the market area, because the stall you bought from is the one that refunds you.

Prices

Prices vary by stall and by location, and the busiest squares are usually the dearest (as of 2026; check the stall's price list). Compare two stalls before you buy, and check whether the price includes the deposit, which is usually shown separately.

Safety and manners

Hot drinks are hot, so wait before the first sip. Alcohol rules apply: you must be of legal age and fit to drive. If you are driving, do not drink, because Czechia applies a zero-tolerance rule for drivers (as of 2026; check the official source). Drink at the stall or nearby and don't carry the mug on public transport. Return the mug and put rubbish in the bin.

Where to go

Prague's main markets are on the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and other squares. The big squares are the obvious choice and the busiest, so go on a weekday afternoon if you want to hear your companion speak, and in the evening if you want the lights. For how they work, see Christmas markets in Prague. What to wear is covered in Prague winter weather.

Choosing a stall

Look for turnover. A stall with a steady line is pouring fresh batches, while a pot that has stood for hours loses its aroma and gets sugary. Check that the price list is on display and that it states the deposit separately. Smell the cup before you drink: you should get spice and wine, not just sweetness. If you want a quieter cup, step off the busiest square and look for a smaller market, where queues are shorter and prices are often easier to compare. And if the stall offers a choice of red or white, ask for the one that has just been made.

Frequently asked questions

What is svařák?

Czech mulled wine: red or white wine heated with sugar, cloves, cinnamon and often citrus.

What is the difference between grog and svařák?

Svařák is heated wine. Grog is hot water with rum, sugar and lemon, and it is usually stronger.

Do I pay a deposit on the mug?

Often, yes. You get it back when you return the mug to the stall. Some markets let you keep the mug.

Are there drinks for children?

Yes: hot chocolate, hot apple juice, spiced tea and children's punch without alcohol.

Can I drive after a cup of svařák?

No. Czechia applies a zero-tolerance rule for alcohol while driving (as of 2026; check the official source).

Do this today

Plan one evening at a market. Bring cash, check the price of the cup, ask what is in it, and return your mug at the end.