Name: Glühwein – German Mulled Wine
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 100 grams/1/2 cup superfine/caster sugar; 250 milliliters / 1 cup water; 1 orange, peeled and juiced; 1 lemon, peeled; 1 lime, peeled; 1 cinnamon stick; 6 cloves; 2 star anise; 1/2 nutmeg, sliced; 1 bottle fruity red wine (when in doubt Cab Sav); 120 milliliters / 1/2 cup rum

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Around early November every year throughout Europe, Christmas markets pop up and have a traditional sense they have a German theme, selling Glühwein - German Mulled Wine as well as other German foods such as gingerbread and pretzels. Nothing warms the body though like a cup of warm glug that has infused spices, seasonal citrus and warms them wine and a little liqour.

Having lived through a cold winter in Germany in my teens, I got to experience the magic of a German winter market and when some friends visited they noted how the small town over 1000 years old with it's lights and offerings felt like the Germany you imagine visiting when you think of this country. At that time I was too young to get to taste the beauty that is the warmth of mulled wine, but you can see how this is something has become popular outside the borders.

Winter will never again be complete without enjoying this and so so easy to make. In fact, if you have some guests coming around you can put this into a pot and get the syrup ready in 45 minutes while preparing dinner. Five minutes before they arrive you can add the wine and rum and serve to them perfectly warm as they take their coats off.

History of Glühwein - Mulled Wine

'The oldest documented Glühwein tankard is attributed to Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen, a German nobleman who was the first grower of Riesling grapes. This gold-plated lockable silver tankard is dated to c. 1420,' which reflects how well this has aged as a dish. Though Mulled Wine has been served throughout Europe, obviously it now has close links to Germany and markets throughout the continent always serve cups of warm Glühwein at most Christmas market's.

How to prepare Glühwein - Mulled Wine

Syrup it up: Place the sugar, water, citrus peels and spices to a medium saucepan on medium low heat covered to create your syrup.
Add a tipple of wine: Add only ½ cup to the syrup and continue lightly simmering.
Time for the good stuff: Add all the alcohol to the saucepan and stir through until it is warmed through.
Serve: Pour into your serving glasses or cups and enjoy!

Tips for the best Glühwein - Mulled Wine

Type of sugar: The time of sugar is not defined in the original recipe so superfine was chosen due to how easily it dissolves to make the syrup base for this recipe.

Serving size: The serving size of this wine is one literal glass of mulled wine so if you love mulled wine you should definitely double the recipe as this heats up incredibly well a day or two after being made.

More winter drinks you'll enjoy

Warm Orange Passion Cocktail

Eggnog

Champurrado – Thick Mexican Hot Chocolate

How to make:

Place the water, sugar, citrus peels, orange juice into a medium saucepan on medium-low heat.

Add in the cinnamon, cloves, star anise and nutmeg.

Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add in ½ cup wine and continue cooking for another 30 minutes, allowing the syrup to reduce and thicken.

Pour in the remaining wine and rum and heat through for 5 minutes.

Ladle into warm mugs.

Serve immediately.