Mulled Wine (Glühwein) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between mulled wine and gluhwein? ›

Mulled wine is hot spiced wine. Gluhwein is a German term for exactly the same. However, they might not necessarily taste the same way because there are so many different recipes, spice mixes and wines to choose from.

Different versions of mulled wine in different countries

In Scandinavian countries this drink is known as gløgg and it often includes aquavit, cardamom (if you use the black kind it gives a lovely smoky taste) and dried fruit. The German version is glühwein (or 'glowing' wine) and that includes schnapps.

Zinfandels, Merlots, Syrah/Shiraz, or Garnache tend to work best. Avoid red wines high in tannins or have an oaky flavor, and avoid light reds. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to have a full-bodied, fruity flavor, can work in a pinch, as can Malbec, which tends to have a bold, spicy flavor.

This mulled wine recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

The heat used in mulling encourages greater flavours from the citrus and the spices but also reduces the alcohol content, hence the common addition of a slug of spirit or liqueur just before serving.

But no matter what you start with, and no matter all the other variables, if you're really keeping mulled wine warm for 10 hours, it's very likely some—but definitely not all—of the alcohol will evaporate. But the flavors of the mulled wine will also start to fade and get muddier after hours and hours of heat exposure.

As we point out in the below directions, Glühwein is served hot and should be sipped slowly just as you would with a fresh cup of coffee. Of course, you do not have to splurge on crystal glassware to sip Gluhwein. A regular mug is a fine alternative.

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste.

Mulled Wine Ingredients:

Wine: No need to splurge on a pricey bottle — a mid-range bottle of dry red or white wine will do. (Or if you're making a big batch, this is a great recipe to break out a nicer boxed wine too!)

What to add to shop bought mulled wine? ›

What flavourings can you add to mulled wine? Cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, nutmeg and vanilla are all quintessentially Christmassy. Our classic mulled wine recipe adds orange rounds and apricots for added natural sweetness, but you can add sugar or honey to balance the spices, too.

As mentioned above, mulled wine can only last 3 to 5 days after opening it. You can tell if a mulled wine has gone bad by smelling it. It will have a distinct sour smell.

While it's a nice drink to imbibe on its own, it's always more fun to think of pairings. Truthfully, mulled wine pairs well with everything from roast beef or sausage to cheese platters. Miller loves to take comforting, classic meat and potato dishes and throw in Filipino twists.

THE GERMANS also disagree: 'Bier auf Wein das lass sein; Wein auf Bier das rat' ich Dir' (roughly translated: 'Don't touch beer after wine; but wine after beer is fine'). There is an Anglo-German difference on another bit of folklore, too.

Officially speaking, the drink is defined by the spices used in it, namely cloves and / or cinnamon. The base also needs to be either white or red wine and have an alcohol content of at least 7%.

Glühwein is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, orange, sugar and at times vanilla pods. It is sometimes drunk mit Schuss (with a shot), which means that rum or some other liquor has been added.

Fun fact, Glühwein roughly translates to “glow-wine”. This is a term derived from the hot irons that was once used to mull the wine! It is most popular in German-speaking countries and in the Alsace region in France.