Some pour a couple of shots of gin or vodka to liven things up, while other insist on adding fruit to the mix.
Nearly every northern European country has their own traditional brew, often served up at Christmas markets to keep the cold away.
And plenty of Edinburgh pubs, bars and restaurants serve their own unique winter warmers.
Here are 10 of them.
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And plenty of Edinburgh pubs, bars and restaurants serve their own unique winter warmers.