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This warm, spiced (and legit magical) gluhwein recipe brings the festiveness of German Christmas markets straight to your kitchen! And with just 5 simple ingredients, this cozy mulled wine is perfect for sipping your way through chilly winter nights. (Bonus: it’s ready in 15 minutes!)

A short glass filled with gluhwein and garnished with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cranberries
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Your New Favorite Winter Beverage

Since we’re in the thick of winter, it’s only fitting to spotlight a drink that defines coziness. We’re talking Glühwein! Originally brewed to salvage less-than-stellar wine (shoutout to those of us who pick bottles based purely on the prettiness of the label), mulled wine has become a staple at German Christmas markets.

Today, we’re bringing that magic straight to our stovetops with an ultra-simple take on this drink, complete with orange and cinnamon sticks. (Think of it as the most aromatic stovetop potpourri, but in drinkable form.)

Cinnamon sticks add a cozy spice, orange slices bring a zesty brightness, and the whole thing fills your home with smells so Christmasy, you’ll half expect Santa to pop in for a glass. Let’s get sipping!

A bird's eye view of two glasses filled with gluhwein mulled wine garnished with cranberries, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and star anise

Grab These Ingredients

You can pick up a few simple ingredients on your way home and have this gluhwein recipe ready within half an hour. Now that, my friends, is magic. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements!

  • Red Wine: We’ll use a bottle of some dry red wine (think varietals like merlot, zinfandel, or garnacha). To keep this cocktail vegetarian/vegan-friendly, source vegan wine.
  • Brandy: Next, ¼ cup of brandy will offset some of the wine’s dryness. (You could also use an orange liquor like Triple Sec!)
  • Orange: Amp up the tanginess with the addition of 1 sliced orange.
  • Sweetener: To sweeten the drink, we’ll add 2 tablespoons of honey (or maple syrup or sugar).
  • Spices: Spice it up with whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise!
  • Garnishes: Optionally, complete your gluhwein by garnishing it with cranberries, cinnamon stirs, more star anise, and/or more orange slices!
Honey, star anise, cinnamon sticks, a sliced orange, and other gluhwein ingredients arranged on a white background

Let’s Make Mulled Wine

Essentially, you’ll just need to let everything heat on the stove (trust me, it’s super quick and simple!). This is only an overview of the steps. For the full printable recipe, jump to the recipe card.

  1. Simmer all ingredients in a large pot set over medium/low heat.
  2. Serve: Ladle into mugs and serve with optional garnishes.
A pot filled with steeping gluhwein and orange slices with a ladle scooping out a spoonful that includes a star anise
When the mixture begins to steam slightly, reduce the heat to low and let it warm for 5 to 10 minutes.
Two short glasses filled with orange mulled wine and garnished with star anise, cranberries, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks
For extra festive mulled wine, you can’t forget garnishes like orange slices and whole spices. For an even fancier touch, try sugared cranberries or a sprig of rosemary!

Make This Your Own

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

  • Sweeter: For a sweeter and less bitter gluhwein recipe, 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: To create an easy blueberry mulled wine (a.k.a. Heidelbeerglühwein), add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the pot.
  • Apple: Add apple slices into the pot or replace the orange slices altogether for a more pronounced apple flavor.
  • White Wine: You can also make this recipe using a dry white wine (in German, Weisse glühwein).
  • Add A Shot: Many markets in Germany have the option of adding a rum shot to your mulled wine (glühwein mit schuss)!
A short glass filled with gluhwein and garnished with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cranberries

Enjoy It With

A drink this cozy deserves an equally cozy dish to match! Try sipping your red gluhwein alongside these winter classics.

  • Tofu Schnitzel: This crispy, golden masterpiece has all the comforting flavors and textures you could ask for.
  • German Käsespätzle: The name literally translates to “cheese noodles.” Need I say more?
A clear glass of mulled wine, reminiscent of a classic gluhwein recipe, is adorned with orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. In the background, small bowls showcase cranberries and star anise.
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How To Make Gluhwein (German Mulled Wine)

By: Sarah Bond
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
This warm, spiced (and legit magical) gluhwein recipe brings the festiveness of German Christmas markets straight to your kitchen! And with just 5 simple ingredients, this cozy mulled wine is perfect for sipping your way through chilly winter nights. (Bonus: it's ready in 15 minutes!)

Ingredients 

  • 1 bottle dry red wine, like merlot, zinfandel, or garnacha, 750 mL
  • ¼ cup brandy, or orange liquor, 60 mL
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp sweetener, like honey, maple syrup, or sugar
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 star anise
  • Optional garnishes: cranberries, cinnamon stirs, star anice, orange slices
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Instructions 

  • Simmer: Add all ingredients to a large pot and set over medium/low heat. When the mixture begins to steam slightly, reduce heat to low and let warm for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Serve: Ladle into mugs and serve with optional garnishes.
    A black saucepan filled with mulled wine, reminiscent of a classic gluhwein recipe, featuring slices of orange and a star anise. A ladle rests inside, capturing some of the warm beverage along with another star anise.

Notes

For blueberry mulled wine, add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
For sweeter/less bitter mulled wine, 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 be.
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, straining before storing. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1glass | Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.3g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 7.5g | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
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4 Comments

  1. Angie says:

    Can this be made up a day or two ahead and re-heated? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Sarah says:

      Yep! It will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Just reheat it over low when you’re ready to serve. Enjoy! 😀

  2. Gina lofberg says:

    Could you possibly tell me where you got these amazing mugs?? Can I buy them in the US?

    Reply
    1. Sarah says:

      I got them at a Christmas market in Germany! Fortunately, most cities in the U.S. have Christmas markets now with their own mugs! 😀