This German Mulled Wine Is the Coziest, Most Heartwarming Holiday Drink (2024)

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Lily Kelting

Lily Kelting

Writer-editor-academic by day. Theatregoer and -maker by night. Grilled cheese sandwiches and bad puns all the time. More nonsense @lilykelting.

updated Dec 5, 2023

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This mulled wine recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

Serves4 to 6

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Quick Overview

How to Make Glühwein

To make Glühwein, make a simple syrup and simmer it with some whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Then turn down the heat and let barely simmer for at least 20 minutes and up to 3 hours.

If you want to make it ahead of time, let it cool to room temperature then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rewarm in a pot over medium low heat.

Look to the people who survive winters with only a few hours of sunlight each day for the coziest and most heart-warming holiday drinks. The answer, according to Germans, Swedes, Norwegians, Finns, and Danes? Mulled wine.

Here is a basic recipe that will make Glühwein like you would get at a German Christmas market. In fact, many commercial Christmas markets simply reheat a pre-sweetened and pre-spiced mix, so this will likely taste even better.

Ingredients in Glühwein

  • Dry red wine: You don’t want to use anything too sweet (or expensive)! Chianti, cabernet Sauvignon, or pinot noir, would work all well here.
  • Sugar: You can use granulated and turbinado sugar interchangeably in this recipe.
  • Orange: Use both the zest and the fresh juice.
  • Whole spices: Cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves add a lovely and festive warm flavor to the drink.
  • Rum or amaretto: Adding a shot just before serving is optional.

Is Gluhwein Different from Regular Mulled Wine?

There are different regional variations of mulled wine, and the recipe itself is always more of a guideline than a rulebook. Glühwein is traditionally served at stalls at Christmas markets across Germany and Austria to keep people warm as they shop and socialize.

This recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you’ve been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

Essential Tips for Making Glühwein

Mulling wine is not exactly rocket science, but there are a few tips to keep in mind. The recipe scales very easily for a smaller post-dinner cuddle-up or a holiday crowd.

Heat gently.

The first and most important rule? Do not let the wine boil or you will boil off the alcohol! I tend to let it heat gently for about 20 minutes before my guests arrive.

Use a budget-friendly wine.

It’s also not worth spending a ton of money on the wine here. The best wine for glühwein is a dry red wine such as Chianti to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Experiment with spices.

Germans tend to keep it pretty basic, but you can experiment and add cardamom, vanilla, ginger, or even black pepper. In the Nordic countries, they add blanched almonds and raisins to their gløgg!

Add a shot if desired.

And then there’s the optional Schuss, or shot of hard liquor (usually rum or amaretto). I tend to order and make my Glühwein without it — especially if it’s the first of several glasses — but it does keep you warmer!

Comments

German Glühwein

This mulled wine recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

Serves 4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/2

    medium orange

  • 3/4 cup

    water

  • 1/4 cup

    turbinado or granulated sugar

  • 10 to 20

    whole cloves

  • 2

    cinnamon sticks

  • 2

    whole star anise

  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle

    dry red wine

  • Rum or amaretto, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the orange in wide strips, taking care to avoid the white pith; set aside. Juice the orange and set the juice aside.

  2. Combine the water and sugar in a large, nonreactive saucepan and boil until the sugar has completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and add the cloves, cinnamon, star anise, orange zest, and orange juice. Simmer until a fragrant syrup forms, about 1 minute.

  3. Reduce the heat further and add the wine. Let it barely simmer for at least 20 minutes but up to a few hours. Keep an eye out so that it doesn't reach a full simmer.

  4. Strain and serve in small mugs, adding a shot of rum or amaretto and garnishing with the orange peel and star anise if desired.

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This German Mulled Wine Is the Coziest, Most Heartwarming Holiday Drink (2024)

FAQs

What is the German hot drink for Christmas? ›

Glühwein, as mulled wine is known in Germany, is essentially red wine heated with spices, lemon and sugar - generally cinnamon and cloves are used in all recipes, with some adding aniseed or vanilla. A variation on the mulled wine is the Feuerzangenbowle.

What brand is mulled wine in Germany? ›

Glühwein (German Mulled Wine)

What does Glühwein in German mean? ›

This mulled wine recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

Is mulled wine from Germany? ›

A steaming hot mug of spiced red wine is synonymous with winter festivities. Just like decorated Christmas trees and Advent wreaths, mulled wine is a deeply rooted German tradition that is now enjoyed around the world.

What is the German holiday drink tradition? ›

Glühwein, as it's called in German, is a staple – not to mention beloved – hot beverage during the winter festive season in Germany. What exactly is Glühwein? It's a hot wine drink simmered with mulled wine spices like cinnamon, star aniseed, cloves, and other warm spices.

What is the famous Christmas drink? ›

Mulled Wine

A bottle of red wine, a hint of brandy, and some holiday spices will quickly fill your home with the Christmas spirit of days gone by. Mulled wine is the perfect drink to whip up after a day on the slopes or anytime your group needs a little comfort while sitting by the fire.

What is mulled wine called? ›

Mulled wine goes by many names—spiced wine, hot wine, glögg, glühwein, and vin chaud are a few I hear used interchangeably. As far as I know, they all essentially refer to the same drink, although the spices and booze of choice may vary depending on the region.

Is Glühwein the same as mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine is hot spiced wine. Gluhwein is a German term for exactly the same. However, they might not necessarily taste the same way because there are so many different recipes, spice mixes and wines to choose from.

How alcoholic is Glühwein? ›

Mulled wine
Mulled wine served in glass mugs at a Christmas market in Germany
Alcohol by volume0–15%
IngredientsWine (red), spices and fruit
VariantsGlühwein, Glögg, and many others

Who drinks the most mulled wine? ›

This drink is consumed enormously in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Denmark, where it is called Glögg and Gløgg respectively (terms meaning "mulled wine" in each language). In Germany, as in most Germanic countries, it is mainly consumed under the name Glühwein.

What is the best wine for mulled wine? ›

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.”

Why is mulled wine a Christmas drink? ›

It soon became a festive staple as people used to make this flavourful drink during winter months only. They used to prepare this drink, especially during Christmas, while enjoying the festival with their friends and family. Soon this became a tradition and is being followed till date.

What is the most popular hot drink in Germany? ›

MOST POPULAR DRINKS IN GERMANY
  1. 1 – Mineral Water (Mineral Wasser) ...
  2. 2 – Coffee (Kaffee) ...
  3. 3 – Herbal and Caffeinated Tea. ...
  4. Wine – One of Germany's Hidden Gems! ...
  5. Schorle – Carbonated Water & Fruit Juice. ...
  6. Radler – Beer Mixed with Lemon Soda. ...
  7. co*cktails. ...
  8. Spetzi – German Cola.
Mar 6, 2023

What do they drink at traditional German Christmas markets? ›

What to drink at the German Christmas markets?
  • Glühwein. Unquestionably Glühwein is probably the first thing that comes to mind! ...
  • Glühwein mit Schuss? Hmmmm this my friends is Glühwein with an extra shot of alcohol (often rum).
  • Feuerzangenbowle. Well hellooo!! ...
  • Eierpunsch. ...
  • Kinderpunsch (Childrens Punch)

What do Germans eat and drink on Christmas? ›

Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.

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