How a 4th-Century Bishop's Wine Became a Christmas Tradition
How a 4th-Century Bishop's Wine Became a Christmas Tradition
How a 4th-Century Bishop's Wine Became a Christmas Tradition
A centuries-old spiced wine called Bisschopswijn—or Smoking Bishop—remains tied to both Christmas traditions and a dramatic moment in church history. The drink's origins trace back to St. Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop whose fierce defence of Christian doctrine at the Council of Nicaea became legendary. Today, variations of the recipe still appear in Dutch celebrations and Victorian-inspired holiday feasts.
The story begins with Bishop Nikolaus of Myra, whose confrontation with the theologian Arius in 325 AD left a lasting mark. Arius argued that Christ was not fully divine, a belief known as Arianism. According to tradition, Nikolaus reacted by slapping Arius during the Council of Nicaea, an act that reinforced his reputation as a defender of orthodoxy. Centuries later, his legacy lived on in the form of Bisschopswijn, a mulled wine linked to his feast day.
The Dutch continue to brew Bisschopswijn each year on Sinterklaas Eve, the night before St. Nicholas Day on December 6. The recipe blends red wine with citrus—lemon and orange—alongside cloves, cinnamon, sugar, and sometimes mace or saffron. Across the North Sea, the drink took on a new name in 19th-century England: Smoking Bishop.
Charles Dickens helped popularise the beverage in 1843 through A Christmas Carol. In the story, a reformed Ebenezer Scrooge offers his clerk, Bob Cratchit, a glass of Smoking Bishop as a gesture of kindness. The name itself hints at its deep red hue and medieval roots, when it was occasionally served in mitre-shaped bowls at guildhalls and university feasts. The St. Nicholas Center, which promotes devotion to the saint, still shares a recipe nearly identical to Dickens' version.
From a bishop's bold stand at Nicaea to a festive drink in Dutch homes and Victorian literature, Bisschopswijn and Smoking Bishop connect history, faith, and holiday customs. The recipe endures, blending spices, wine, and a legacy that stretches back over 1,700 years. Both versions remain a warm reminder of St. Nicholas' influence on winter celebrations.
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