I love making this Traditional German Gluhwein Recipe during the Holiday season. A simmering pot of Glühwein on the stove makes the house smell like Christmas. The spicey flavors warm you down to your toes. Best of all, it’s not difficult to make! Serve this at a holiday gathering, or make some up for yourself and a friend. It’s perfect for those nights by the fire, wrapping presents, and enjoying the Spirit of the Holidays.
Traditional German Glühwein is made with Red Wine, Oranges, Brandy, and Spices!
Glühwein doesn’t have to be a nighttime drink!
Enjoy a Glühwein with friends on a dreary afternoon rather then going to Costa Coffee or Starbucks for a cup of coffee! And it’s the perfect drink to serve at a Holiday Party.
Control the Ingredients
When you make Glühwein yourself, you can control the ingredients, especially the sugar. Make it sweeter or less sweet depending on your taste. (I’ve learned that the amount of sugar you need to add is in inverse proportion to how good the wine it…. which means…. if you use the cheap stuff, you are going to need a lot of sugar. A mid-range bottle is best.)
Always always… Taste it before serving.
Traditional German Gluhwein Recipe
Looking for a conversion tool to change measurements? Try this one-> Ounces to ML
German Glühwein Recipe- German Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 2 Bottles of Red Wine 750 ml each
- 1 cups Granulated Sugar. Start with 1 cup... add more if needed
- 8 Cinnamon Sticks
- 2 Oranges- Sliced
- a bunch of whole cloves dozen?
- whole allspice if you have it (1 Tbl)
- 2-3 Star Anise
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/4- 1/2 cup of brandy optional, but recommended
Instructions
- Pull out a nice big pot....set it on the stove.
- Pour the wine into the pot, and set the flame to LOW. (don't boil it!! )
- Add the granulated Sugar
- Slice the oranges, then stick the cloves into the orange slices, and into the wine they go
- Put the cinnamon sticks in too... and the Star Anise if you like, and allspice pods if you have them.
- Add the Orange juice
- and if you want... the brandy
- Now....
- Wait
- Simmer... stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. (don't let it boil!!)
- Taste
- Add Sugar if needed
- Taste
- Play with it some more if you want
- Now .... enjoy....
- You can buy Spice Mixes to add to your wine, to make it easier...
Traditional German Glühwein Spices
Want to take a shortcut? Just add these spices to the Wine… add sugar as needed. These “teabags” of Glühwein spices make a nice addition to any gift basket!
German Mulled Wine Spice Mix Gluhwein – Mulling Spices – 20 x 0.5Oz Sachets / 20 x 1.5g Sachets – Glühwein Gewürz by Meßmer – Sold by Helen’s Own – with Full English Recipe Booklet
GlühFix – Mixed Spices for Mulled Wine (20 Teebags)
German Glühwein Mugs
German Gluhwein mugs are perfect for keeping your hands warm while sipping Gluhwein! If you go to a German Christmas Market, you will get your Gluhwein in one of these collectible mugs. Start your own collection, or add to it with these…
Mix n Match~Vintage German Christmas Mulled Wine Mugs~Nürnberg~Christmas Market Mugs~German Souvenir~Mulled Wine Mug
German Cobalt Blue or Black Gluhwein Mug with Winter Village Scene, Christmas Market Mug
My Glühwein Mug Collection
Feuerzangen Bowle!
Want to take your Gluhwein experience to the next level, add FLAMES! The Feuerzangenbowle is a bowl that holds the a burning Rum-Soaked Sugar Cone over the Gluhwein. It’s beautiful and potent.
Find it HERE—> Feuerzangenbowle
also include 2 Bottles of White Wine. Use Rum or Arrak instead of Brandy. So good. But Arrak is very hard to find in America
Sometimes you just have to work with what you have… but I will keep my eyes open for Arrak!
Thanks Lillian!
I am never sure what kind of red wine to use can you help me out please? What’s your favorite? And can you reheat the leftovers?
thank yo
Use a mid-range Merlot or Pinot Noir (the expensive stuff it too good for this, and the cheap stuff won’t taste good… although my mother always uses Two buck Chuck).
And yes, go ahead and simmer to reheat the leftovers.
I use dark brown sugar… Yummm!
mmmmmmm
My husband and I were in Germany last Christmas and a street vendor was selling gluhwein…oh my gosh!! I fell in love with it! I’m going to try your recipe tonight! Thanks for posting.
thanks! I just posted a white Glühwein recipe too!
Can you use Calvados instead of Brandy? Just happen to have a bottle in the cupboard.
I don’t see why not? Flavor may change a bit…
Calvados instead of Brandy?! BRILLIANT!
Ohhh! Good tip!
Good morning, can I use brown sugar or dark sugar and how long will the leftovers last? Thank you Merry Christmas
I don’t see why you can’t substitute brown sugar… it might change the flavor a bit, but maybe it would taste richer. Worth a try.
Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge. I would think it should be ok for a week if you strain out the fruit.