This traditional hot mulled wine recipe is super easy to make, delicious and will warm you from the inside out!
Mulled wine, or Glühwein as my German family calls it, is an aromatic red wine, sweetened and heated with mulled spices and citrus. These spices can be any combination of cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla beans. It’s like winter sangria, but less sweet and much cosier. Traditionally it is enjoyed during a stroll through Christmas Markets, or to warm you after a cold day on the slopes, or other frigid winter activities.
Glühwein roughly translated, means “glow-wine”, as they used hot irons to heat it many years ago. I grew up drinking this warming wine while strolling the winter markets with my Omi and Opa, while also gnawing on pastries, gingerbread and lebkuchen. Don’t worry, my Grandparents weren’t just going around feeding kids alcohol; due to how its warmed at Christmas markets, it had very very low alcohol content, making it suitable for kiddos like me. My Opa would enjoy it “mit Schuss”- which means “with a shot”, were he’d ask the nice person working the Glühwein hut to add a shot of amaretto. Delish!
We don’t have the same type of Christmas markets here in Canada. I mean, they try, but they are NOT anything like what you see in Europe. They are often WAY too packed (my social-anxiety monster hates crowds) the booths are lack-lustre, and the mulled wine is exorbitantly overpriced. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on who you talk to) my social anxiety has given me to ability to enjoy the comforts of the world without ever having to leave my condo. I love whipping up a batch of this stuff on a cold Friday night to enjoy just the two of us, or with friends that stop by. It adds a beautiful Holiday aroma to the air- which always makes me nostalgic.
To make this warm-you-from-the-inside-out co*cktail all you need to do is…
Slice some oranges and stick whole cloves into them. Then, add them to a pot (a crockpot is perfect for this as well) and add orange juice, coconut sugar, ginger slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, vanilla bean and a bay leaf. You want to bring this to a boil, and then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer this spice mixture for 30 mins.
After 30 mins add 1 cup of red wine and simmer for another 30 mins, until it becomes thick and syrupy. When the syrup is ready, reduce the heat to low and pour in remaining red wine (don’t forget to take a swig yourself) and add the brandy. Bring this to just a gentle simmer (DO NOT BOIL! I REPEAT DO NOT BOIL!) and heat for about 5 minutes. Again…DO NOT BOIL. Once the mulled wine is warmed, strain out the orange slices and spices, and ladle the wine into glasses or mugs and serve warm. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel if desired. You can even add a star anise, if you’re feeling fancy.
Traditional German Hot Mulled Wine | Gluhwein Recipe
Cozy up to a hot cup of spiced mulled wine this Holiday Season. This traditional German hot mulled wine recipe is super easy to make, and so delicious! Whether you're home alone, trolling the Christmas market or need some warming up during your apres-ski- this warming winter co*cktail is sure to delight.
Author: The Edgy Veg
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: German
Serves: Serves 8
Instructions
- Stick whole cloves into the orange slices and place into a large stockpot.
- Add orange juice, sugar, ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise, vanilla and bay leaf, and bring it all to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer. Simmer for 30 mins, add 1 cup of wine and simmer for another 30 mins, until thick and syrupy.
- When the syrup is ready reduce heat to low and pour in remaining wine and add brandy. Bring just to a gentle simmer and heat for about 5 minutes. DO NOT BOIL.
- Strain out orange sliced and spices and ladle wine into glasses and serve warm. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel if desired.
Notes
Chefs note:
-Try adding a shot of amaretto to kick it up a notch!
-To maintain the alcohol content of the wine, add the wine at the end and only until warmed, never boil!
FAQs
The best red wine to use for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha (also called Grenache). These wines are dark, fruity and full bodied, which means they can support all of the flavors we'll be adding. Look for labels that describe the wine as “jammy” or with “notes of vanilla.”
Does mulling wine remove alcohol? ›
Does the alcohol cook out when making mulled wine? In short, yes, some of the alcohol burns off when boiling mulled wine, but you should only be gently bringing up to the boil and simmering for around 15-30 minutes which isn't enough time to completely remove all alcohol traces.
What is mulled wine made of? ›
It is commonly a combination of orange, lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel seed (or star anise), cloves, cardamom, and ginger. The spices may be combined and boiled in a sugar syrup before red wine is added, heated, and served. Variations include adding brandy or ginger wine.
How do you keep the alcohol in mulled wine? ›
Ainsley Harriott recommends mulling wines in a slow cooker and says two hours at low temperature gives excellent results and should retain most alcohol content.
Can you use cheap wine for mulled wine? ›
Your ideal mulling wine is an inexpensive, inoffensive, young merlot, burgundy, petite syrah, tempranillo, beaujolais, or other "middle-of-the-road" wine, maybe slightly on the sweet side.
What is the best cheap red wine for mulled wine? ›
“For mulled wine, I'd use an inexpensive cabernet sauvignon or merlot from Chile, as these wines show lots of fruit and not so many tannins.
How long should you heat mulled wine? ›
Method. Put the red wine, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar in a large pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins. Remove from the heat and cool, leaving to infuse for about 30 mins.
Is mulled wine good for you? ›
The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits. Resveratrol is associated with heart health benefits and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots. When consumed in moderation, red wine has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Can you have a mulled wine and drive? ›
Mulled wine, spiked cider, and of course eggnog play a large role in many holiday parties. But as you may learn, these drinks do not mix well with those who plan to drive.
What is the point of mulled wine? ›
What exactly is mulled wine? The word “mull” means to “to heat, sweeten, and flavor (a beverage, such as wine or cider) with spices,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Indeed, mulled wine, or spiced wine, is served and enjoyed while hot, making it a perfect drink for the holidays.
Few things truly scream Christmas like a mug of steaming mulled wine. The warmth of the red wine paired with the aroma of the cinnamon and cloves makes for a truly festive experience that even that first glass of prosecco on Christmas day can't quite beat.
Why is mulled wine so good? ›
Mulled wine is essentially red wine simmered with various cozy spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise that give it a delicious, spiced flavor. You can make it with brandy or another dark liquor for an extra kick!
Can you overheat mulled wine? ›
The key to successfully heating up mulled wine is to take it up to a nice warm temperature without boiling it. Wine has a lower boiling point than water, and overheating it will cook off some of the alcohol, resulting in an unpleasant bitter flavour.
Can you overcook mulled wine? ›
Be careful not to overcook as the wine will reduce. Remove pan from heat. Cover and steep until well-flavored. We recommend letting it steep 5 to 10 minutes.
How long does homemade mulled wine last? ›
TO STORE: Let your mulled wine cool completely, then pour it into an airtight storage container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm mulled wine in a large pot on the stovetop over low heat, or pour leftovers into your slow cooker and reheat on LOW until warm.
Does the quality of wine matter in mulled wine? ›
Red wines are traditionally used to make mulled wine, and while any red wine can work, sweet reds will give you a nice, sweet base, meaning less sugar added in later. If you use a dry red, keep in mind you may need to add more sugar than a recipe calls for.
Is Merlot or Pinot Noir better for mulled wine? ›
Ideally you want to use bigger and bolder red wines like Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, or Cabernet, but any fruity red wine your family members are leaving around will do. I've used Pinot Noir before to success. Honestly, whatever red wine that you're stuck with and you don't want to drink, they'll work.
Is cabernet or merlot better for mulled wine? ›
Merlot is an ideal choice of wine for making mulled wine. Its bold, juicy fruit flavor has notes of red cherry, plum, and cranberry.
Is Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon better for mulled wine? ›
As wine forms the base for the mulled wine, you do want to be careful with your selection. A bottle of Levant Shiraz makes the perfect base - we don't recommend Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Cabernet Sauvignon is too high in tannin, and Pinot Noir is too light to carry the spices.
To make this warm-you-from-the-inside-out co*cktail all you need to do is…
