Traditional mulled wine in Germany is known as Gluhwein. It is a very popular seasonal hot drink in winter and especially during Christmas holidays.
It is a regular offering at Christmas markets in Germany, however, it is very easy to make at home. When it is cold and wintery at your house try some of this spicy treat.
German Christmas market
Gluhwein
Gluhwein or German Mulled Wine
Gluhwein recipe
Ingredients:
1 bottle Red Wine (preferably dry)
3 to 5 whole Anises
8 to 10 Cloves
3 sliced Oranges
1 sliced Lemon
3 tbsp. Sugar
6 sticks Cinnamon
Some additional options are: 1 cup of Brandy, nutmeg or cardamom, to taste.
Directions:
Heat the wine in a large saucepan, but do not bring it to a boil. Add all of the spices, sugar and optional ingredients and continue to heat. Mulled wine should not be allowed to boil. Add the sliced oranges and lemon. Simmer on low heat for 45 minutes. Remove it from the heat and strain it through a fine sieve. Taste test the mulled wine for desire sweetness and add more sugar if needed.
Serve in hot mugs or glasses. Orange slices and cinnamon sticks make excellent garnish for mulled wine. Enjoy!
Other spices may be added to suit your taste or you can experiment. You might try ginger or bay leaves for a little more spice. Sugar makes it sweeter and adding brandy will make it more potent. Try putting kumquats in the glasses before filling them with the hot mulled wine.
