There’s something about the arrival of Christmas markets that flips a switch in all of us, especially the part that involves mulled wine.
One minute we’re complaining about the cold, the next we’re willingly standing outside in it, clutching a steaming cup of something spiced and sugary while pretending it’s suddenly acceptable to spend £7 on a drink because it’s festive.
The unofficial mascot of December drinks, it easily draws in crowds with its sweet aroma and cosy, nostalgic charm.
There may not be any viral Stew’s Cookie milk outside of the US, but mulled wine has been more than enough to keep us going elsewhere in the world.
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Be that as it may, while we’re busy taking pictures under fairy lights and navigating packed stalls, experts are warning that this beloved winter drink comes with a hidden danger most people have never even considered; it’s not the sugar content or the very questionable paper cups.
According to spiking-prevention specialists CounterSpike, mulled wine is one of the hardest drinks to detect getting compromised. With Christmas markets attracting millions of visitors each year, the organisation says now is the time to pay attention.
Alex Bodikian, one of the co-founders of CounterSpike, explains exactly why the festive favourite is such a risky choice, saying: “Mulled wine, and in general red wine, is a very hard drink to detect potential spiking due to a few key reasons. You should be aware of these heading into the Christmas market season."
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It turns out the things that make mulled wine so comforting are the same things that make it incredibly effective at hiding anything suspicious. The deep red colour masks anything that might dissolve into it. The strong blend of cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and sugar easily covers unusual smells or flavours.
What’s more, because the drink is served hot, any added substance dissolves even faster, a huge contrast to chilled drinks, where foreign substances may linger or settle.
Then there’s the setting. Christmas markets are famously chaotic, crowded, and distracting, which, according to CounterSpike, creates the perfect conditions for someone to tamper with a drink unnoticed.
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The concern isn’t unfounded. CounterSpike points to rising anxiety around spiking, particularly among younger adults. Its research shows that 72% of 18–24-year-olds worry about being spiked, while 11.7 million Brits know someone who has experienced it. With Google searches for ‘spiking’ surging each November and the Office for National Statistics noting that many crimes increase during darker winter months, the timing couldn’t be more relevant.
Bodikian urges people to enjoy the festivities, but stay alert, adding: “The festive season is, unfortunately, one of the most high-risk times for drink spiking… If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t - act quickly."
Ben Williams