Glühwein - A German Tradition Bringing Gemütlichkeit to Your Home

Glühwein - A German Tradition Bringing Gemütlichkeit to Your Home 

 

A steaming hot mug of spiced wine or mulled wine is synonymous with a German winter. This famous warm wine drink has become an annual tradition for many families. The soothing and sweet aroma that wafts from your glühwein cup with the sweet smell of red wine and mulled spices will offer a true feeling of Gemütlichkeit 

The German name for mulled wine is Glühwein (alternate spellings used are gluhwein or gluehwein).  It translates to “glow wine,” and there’s nothing better than this traditional German drink to make you glow with cozy warmth on a cold winter night. It is a common drink that is readily available in Europe at stores such as Aldi or Lidl or you can get a botttle of mulled red wine in the USA at Trader Joes or get your mulling spices at Whole Foods. 

The secret to getting a great homemade Glühwein recipe is to mix the right mixture of gluhwein ingredients being red wine and mulling spices (such as cinnamon sticks, sugar, oranges, and cloves). Aside from a being a hot wine drink that can be enjoyed throughout the winter, it is also a popular drink in Germany at Wintertraum, German wine at Christmas, and Christkindl markets. Mulled red wine (Glühwein) can be slightly different depending on where in the world you try it and whose recipe you’re tasting. For example, in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, glögg  is a similar warm red mulled wine Beveridge also bringing comfort on cold winter evenings (perhaps you have enjoyed IKEA mulled wine which is a generic version of glögg). An alternative to this warm red wine drink is apple spice wine or mulled wine cider. 

 

Recipe of Mulled Wine Ingredients: 

Preparation time in minutes: 20 
Serves: approx. 7-9 cups 

 

Base Glühwein Ingredients: 

  • 2 bottles of good-quality red wine 
  • 570 ml or 2 1/4 cups water 
  • Juice of 2 lemons 
  • 140 g or 2/3 cup sugar 
  • 6 cloves 
  • 2 cinnamon sticks 
  • 2 oranges - cut into bite-sized pieces 
  • Oranges for decoration 

 

How to make Glühwein: 

Step 1: 

Put all the glühwein ingredients in a pot and bring it close to boil. To give additional dimension to the flavor, cut 2 oranges into bite-sized pieces, and add to the red wine. Let simmer but don't boil. 

Step 2: 

Remove the mulled spices of clove and cinnamon stick before serving it into lightly pre-warmed cups. Decorate the cups with an orange slice. 

 

Enjoy and drink responsibly! 

 

 Explore our Gluhwein mug collection and find the perfect mug!

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