Here's How to Make Traditional Glühwein ( German Mulled Wine Recipe) This Holiday Season (2024)

Here's How to Make Traditional Glühwein ( German Mulled Wine Recipe) This Holiday Season (1)

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The holidays are a time for celebration and joy. And what better way to rejoice than with some delectable Glühwein, German mulled wine.

The perfect winter beverage for holiday celebrations or just to warm you up on a cold winter day. This hot spiced wine is best served by the fireplace or around a Christmas tree. Glühwein is easy to make and can be tailored to your own tastes. Rich in tradition and flavor, it’s no wonder that Germans and others across Europe love it so much!

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There is a good reason why this recipe is a staple at German Christmas Markets, winter festivals, and holiday gatherings. If you’re looking to bring a touch of German Christmas cheer to your home, look no further than this easy Glühwein recipe. Here is how to make this delicious holiday drink:

What Do You Need to Make Mulled Wine?

1 bottle medium bodied red wine
1 medium orange, sliced
3-4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
8-10 whole cloves
6 cardamom pods
6 whole star anise
1/2 teaspoon whole allspice
4-6 tablespoons sugar

Variations/Optional Ingredients

Lighter/less alcoholic drink – Add 3/4 cup of apple juice, apple cider, water, or orange juice
Stronger alcohol content – add 3/4 cup brandy or schnapps
Stronger citrus flavor – add 1 lemon, sliced
Additional star anise, cinnamon sticks, sliced apples, orange slices, or lemon slices for garnish

How Do You Make Mulled Wine?

Add the red wine, sugar, and sliced orange into a large pot and place on the stove top. If using, also add lemon slices, water, juice, and/or brandy to the pot.
Place whole cloves, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and star anise into a piece of cheesecloth and tie it shut with kitchen string. Note: I find that it is easier to tie the whole spices into a cheesecloth bundle or pouch than straining the wine later to remove the spices. But this is optional. You can also add the whole spices to the pot loose and filtered out before serving or storing.
Heat wine and spices slowly on the stove on low setting or simmer, stirring occasionally. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Boiling can cause the alcohol to evaporate and the flavor to become too strong or worse, bitter. However, the longer you heat the wine, the more the fruit and spices will steep into the wine. Typically, I like to simmer for at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
Remove the bundle of spices, or strain to remove loose spices before serving.
Serve in mugs or heatproof glasses. If you’d like, add a cinnamon stick, star anise, orange slice, apple slice, or lemon slice for garnish.

Tips for Making Mulled Wine

If you are serving this spiced wine recipe at a party or large gathering, you can keep the wine warm in a slow cooker or Crock Pot.
You can make this recipe ahead of time and store this in the fridge. Then heat it up when you want to serve again.
Traditional German mulled wine recipe will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks, but it is at its best and should really consumed within the first week.
Start with less sugar and adjust the amount of sugar as needed. Some wines will need more sugar to balance out the flavors or make it sweeter.
The best types of red wine for this recipe include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, or Merlot.
For a great wine subscripton box, try Firstleaf Wine Club. We have been using them since 2020 and really like the selection and price point (under $10 a bottle). They often run specials for new subscribers with 6 bottles for $30.

Another seasonal favorite recipe is this Baileys Irish Cream recipe. I like to make bo this and mulled wine for special occasions, especially when I’m entertaining. Both are quick and easy recipes that always gets rave reviews.

Yield: 4 servings

Glühwein - German Mulled Wine

Ingredients

1 - 750mL bottle medium bodied red wine ( Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Rioja, or Grenache)
1 medium orange, sliced
3-4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
8-10 whole cloves
6 cardamom pods
6 whole star anise
1/2 teapsoon whole allspice
4-6 tablespoons sugar
For garnish - Additional star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, or lemon slices

Optional

For a less alcoholic drink - Add 3/4 cup of apple juice, apple cider, water, or orange juice
For tronger alcohol content - add 3/4 cup brandy or schnapps
For a stronger citrus flavor - add 1 lemon

Instructions

Add the red wine, sugar, and sliced orange into a large pot and place it on the stovetop. If using, also add lemon slices, water, juice, and/or brandy to the pot.
Place whole cloves, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and star anise into a piece of cheesecloth and tie it shut with kitchen string. You can also add the whole spices to the pot loose and filter out before serving or storing.
Heat wine and spices slowly on the stove on a low setting or simmer, stirring occasionally. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Boiling can cause the alcohol to evaporate and the flavor to become too strong or worse, bitter. However, the longer you heat the wine, the more the fruit and spices will steep into the wine. Typically, I like to simmer for at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
Remove the bundle of spices, or strain to remove loose spices before serving.
Serve in mugs or heatproof glasses. If you'd like, add a cinnamon stick, star anise, orange slice, or lemon slice for garnish.

Notes

1 bottle of red wine makes approximately 4 cups of Gluhwein, depending on how you serve it (4 oz. or 8 oz. per cup), and how strong you prefer the final product.

Did you make this recipe?

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To help you make this recipe, let me answer some common questions about mulled wine and Gluhwein?

What’s the difference between mulled wine and Gluhwein?

They are the same thing. Gluhwein is the German term for mulled wine. The traditional german way to prepare it is with red wine, whole cloves, diced oranges and grapefruit, cinnamon sticks, sugar syrup, and citrus fruits.

What kind of red wine is best for Gluhwein?

Most medium to full-body red wines can work. Rioja, Grenache, Merlot or Zinfindel are the ones I use most often. These wines are rich enough in tannin to pair well with the spices in Gluhwein. When selecting wine look for ones that have a fruity character, with flavors of cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry, or even red apple.

It is best to avoid stronger wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Barolo or other full-bodied wines. Sometimes you can pair these rich full-bodied wines with mulled wine, but it is best to use them sparingly in smaller quantities.

What are the spices used in Gluhwein?

Traditionally whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, star anise are used to make German spiced wine recipe. Some recipes call for juniper berries, bay leaves, and peppercorns, but I don’t include them in my version. I also like to add a slice of orange or lemon. You can omit the fruit slices or substitute orange and lemon zest if you like. However, adding the fruit infuses the mulled wine with a brighter fruity flavor.

Can I use white wine for mulled wine?

Yes, you can use white wines to make your mulled wine but the flavor won’t be as intense.

Is it okay to boil the wine?

No, you should never boil the wine. Just let it warm up gently. Boiling will ruin the flavor.

Can you use cheap wine for mulled wine?

Absolutely! You can use an inexpensive bottle of red wine in your recipe. Cheap doesn’t mean low quality. Stores like Trader Joe’s and Aldi offer great options for well under $8-10 a bottle.

How much German mulled wine should I make?

1 bottle of red wine makes approximately 4 cups of Gluhwein, depending on how you serve it (4 oz. or 8 oz. per cup), and how strong you prefer the final product.

What do you serve with mulled wine?

Mulled wine is traditionally served with gingerbread cookies. In our house, we love these soft ginger crinkle cookies and traditional German Lebkuchen. Mulled wine is also a great beverage to serve at a holiday cookie exchange. If you need tips, I offer great advice on how-to host a holiday cookie exchange article.

What could be more festive than gathering around with family and friends to celebrate the holidays with a warm mug of mulled wine? This traditional German recipe makes the best-mulled wine. Best of all, it is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So gather your loved ones, put on some Christmas music, and get ready to enjoy a delicious cup of Gluhwein!

About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.