This terrific beverage dates back to a German nobleman who was the first grower of Riesling grapes. He kept his hot wine in a silver tankard dated to about 1420. Nobleman is right. Someone give this man a prize.
You may have heard of it referred to as mulled wine and the German word translates to glow wine, from the hot irons once used for mulling. (What exactly is mulling…?) The wine doesn’t glow, but it is made with lots of spice and everything nice and you will glow with warmth when you drink it.
Glühwein
- 1 (750 milliliter) bottle sweet red wine
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 orange, cut into four slices
- 1/2 lemon, cut into two slices
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3/4 cup sugar in the raw (or white sugar)
- 3/4 cup orange juice (optional, but it adds a little extra zest)
I bought a bottle of local wine that was brewed (brewed…do you brew wine?) specifically to be heated and followed the recipe on the card that it came with. I added the lemon and substituted orange juice for water. It’s richer and sweeter. You could use just about any bold or sweet wine for this recipe, such as a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also make it with white wine — try it with a Riesling!
I strongly encourage you to try this at home this weekend, and then make it again when you have family and friends over for the holidays. If you are serving a houseful, I would suggest quadrupling or quintupling (that’s a word??) this recipe. The Viper Pilot and I filled two mugs with one bottle, and while we were quite content with that serving size, we wanted more because it tasted so good. It’s like Christmas in a cup. 🙂 🙂 🙂
ENJOY!
Humor me here…if you can’t tell, I’m beyond infatuated with Glühwein. 🙂
Do me a favor: take a picture of your Glühwein and upload it to the Facebook page! Let me know if you did anything different from my recipe. I can’t wait to see your pictures!
Alison Donlon says
I can't WAIT to try this!!!
Emily says
I can't WAIT to see your picture of it! 🙂
K.Mooney says
My family is German and has always made a non-alcoholic version of something similar sounding to this called wassail (you can make it with alochol too) every holiday season. We will be making it soon. I will get the exact recipe and send you a picture!
Molly says
Have you seen the sugar cones? You heat it with fire over the wine (held by tongs) while it's heating up and let the sugar drip into the gluhwein. It's so much fun! I think I have an extra one that you can have, just remind me next time I see you!
Beautiful pictures as always Emily!
Molly