How To Make Gluhwein (German Mulled Wine)

Experience the cozy German Christmas markets without ever leaving the comfort of your home with this easy gluhwein recipe! With only 5 ingredients, this is a simple mulled wine to warm your bones this winter.

In a week full of our favorite winter classics (like this Käsespätzle), it’s only fitting that we share a recipe that has maximum coziness. We’re talking Glühwein!

What is gluhwein, you ask? Well, it’s only the coziest of adult beverages! It is Germany’s version of mulled wine, translating to “glow wine”.

The whole point of gluhwein in the olden days was to salvage scrap/bad wine, which is fortunate for folks like me who know very little about wine and therefore make their wine selection almost solely based on the prettiness of the label.

Where did Gluhwein originate?

Gluhwein originated in Germany as their version of mulled red wine, and it accounts for roughly 96% of the magic at the German Christmas markets. So today we’re bringing that magic right onto our stovetops with an ultra-simple take on this drink, complete with orange and cinnamon sticks.

If you’re into potpourris in the winter, there’s a classic blend that uses cinnamon, cranberries, and orange slices. It fills your home with such great Christmasy aromas that you can’t help but get into the spirit of the season!

Well, this wine is that potpourri embodied in a beverage. The orange slices bring a tangy zest while the cinnamon calms things down with its hint of spice. When all is said and done, this is the perfect DIY gluhwein recipe no matter where you are in the world!

Ingredients In fruity mulled wine

To make your own mulled wine, you’ll need 1 bottle of your favorite dry red, a bit of brandy or orange liquor, an orange, a sweetener, cloves, cinnamon, and two star anise. And with that, get ready for one of the best wines, complete with some seriously cozy Christmas flavors!

• Red Wine: Use 1 bottle of dry red wine, like merlot, zinfandel, or garnacha.
• Brandy: Next, ¼ cup of brandy will offset some of the dryness. You can also use an orange liquor like Triple Sec.
• Orange: Amp up the tanginess with the addition of 1 sliced orange.
• Sweetner: To sweeten up the drink, use 2 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or sugar.
• Spices: Add a bit of spice with 5 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 2 star anise.
• Garnishes: Optionally complete your gluhwein by garnishing it with cranberries, cinnamon stirs, more star anise, and/or more orange slices!

How to make mulled gluhwein

To make gluhwein, you’ll essentially let everything heat and mix on the stove. It’s very quick and simple. So much so, that you can pick up the ingredients on your way home and have homemade gluhwein within half an hour. Now that, my friends, is magic.

1. Simmer: Add all of the ingredients to a large pot and set over medium/low heat. When the mixture begins to steam slightly, reduce the heat to low and let it warm for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Serve: Ladle into mugs and serve with optional garnishes.

Ways to add different flavors

Gluhwein comes in a few different variations, and it’s easy to switch up your recipe right at home!

• Sweeter Gluhwein: For a sweeter and less bitter beverage, remove the peel from the orange before adding it to the pot. The longer the orange peel steeps in the wine, the more bitter the finished drink will taste!
• Blueberry Gluhwein: Create an easy blueberry version (i.e. Heidelbeerglühwein) of this mulled wine by adding 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the pot.
• Apple: Another great variation involves apple slices. You can opt to add them to the pot, or you can replace the orange slices altogether for a heavier apple flavor.
• White Wine: You can also make this using a dry white wine (in German, weisse glühwein).
• Add A Shot: Many markets in Germany will have the option to add a shot of rum to your mulled wine (glühwein mit schuss)!

What to enjoy with gluhwein

A beverage this cozy requires the pairing of an equally cozy dish! When enjoying your red gluhwein, try sipping it with German Käsespätzle! It translates to “cheese noodles.” Need I say more?