Bring this tradition home with more than just beer! These drinks draw inspiration from German roots but bring something to the menu for everyone.
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Your ultimate guide to Oktoberfest drinks
Despite the name, Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated mostly in September — Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 to be exact. It started as a wedding celebration in Munich for the union of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and lasted five days. Everyone enjoyed it so much, they decided to make it an annual event and Oktoberfest was born!
While beer tends to come to mind first when you think of Oktoberfest, it’s not for everyone. There are so many drinks that either incorporate beer as an ingredient or draw from German roots that would be right at home at an Oktoberfest celebration.
Oktoberfest beers
Although Oktoberfest beers are prominent here in the US, that’s not something you’ll find at traditional German celebrations. Instead, festbier and märzen are popular styles to enjoy.
Festbier is a golden lager with a higher alcohol content, typically around 6.0% ABV. It’s light and crips, with both herbal and toasty notes. In comparison, Märzen is a darker, more bready beer.
I always assumed that Glühwein was on the menu at Oktoberfest too. It’s a traditional German mulled wine rich with spices. According to my sister who lives in Germany, it turns out that mulled wine more of a Christmas drink you’ll find at the holiday markets, so opt for one of the recipes below instead!
What to serve at Oktoberfest parties
When it comes to your Oktoberfest celebrations, the sky is the limit! You can lean into German fare, like pretzels, schnitzel or bratwurst. Don’t forget the beer cheese dip!
You could also serve tailgate foods, since they definitely go well with beer cocktails (and more!) Chicken wings are always a crowd pleaser and it’s hard to beat ooey gooey mozzarella sticks! Add a plate of totchos for grazing and you’re sure to have happy guests.
The best Oktoberfest drinks
Why let beer have all the fun? These drinks bring forward traditional flavors in new ways that you’re going to love.
Beer cocktails
Beer cocktails aren't really a thing at the traditional Oktoberfest — the fest is beer-forward, and most people are drinking straight from the stein. The radler is the one exception, a classic German mix of beer and citrus that's been on Oktoberfest menus for decades. But when you're hosting at home, the rules are a lot more flexible, and beer makes a surprisingly great cocktail base.
Non-beer cocktails
Even though cocktails aren't really part of the traditional Oktoberfest experience, a few drinks have ties to German drinking culture, and when you're hosting at home, that's close enough. Schnapps shots are common throughout the fest, sparkling wine flows at the wine tent and at least one famous tent serves Irish coffee. Consider this the permission slip to pour whatever sounds good, especially if beer isn't your thing!
Non-alcoholic drinks
Non-alcoholic options are taken seriously at the real Oktoberfest. Most tents serve at least a few, including non-alcoholic beer. Some of the most popular are drinks you might not have heard of before. If you're hosting guests who aren't drinking, these are worth making properly rather than as an afterthought.
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