Let me introduce you to my homemade Glühwein recipe that tastes better than anything you can buy at a German Christmas market. This hot wine, spiced with cloves, star anise, and cinnamon, will warm you from the inside out.
When it's so cold outside that your breath turns to steam, a cup of this German mulled wine is a welcome relief. The warm spiced wine runs down your throat like liquid comfort, giving you the warm, glowing feeling only authentic Glühwein can provide.
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What is German Mulled Wine?
German mulled wine (called Glühwein in German, pronounced "GLUE-vine") is red wine gently heated with warming spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and fresh orange. The name literally means "glowing wine" - and trust me, after a cup or two on a freezing December night, you'll understand why!
You'll find Glühwein everywhere during the German Christmas market season, served steaming hot in adorable ceramic mugs. There's even a non-alcoholic version called Kinderpunsch for the kids, so the whole family can enjoy the tradition together.
The Cozy History Behind Your Cup
Spiced wine isn't a new invention - the Romans were warming their wine with spices over 2,000 years ago, mainly because wine back then was pretty sour and needed help! By the Middle Ages, exotic spices like cinnamon and cloves were luxury items, making spiced wine the drink of nobility.
The German Glühwein tradition has murky origins - some credit the Swedes, others point to a German count's 1843 recipe. But here's what really matters: In 1956, Rudolf Kunzmann from Augsburg became the first to sell pre-spiced bottled Glühwein. Christmas markets across Germany could suddenly serve hot mulled wine without the fuss, and a beloved tradition was born.
How to make Glühwein?
As with many traditional recipes, there is no just one authentic Glühwein recipe. Glühwein spices and ingredients can be adapted to suit your own taste. Let me show you how I make my Glühwein.
Ingredients:
For the detailed instructions and exact measurements, please jump to the printable recipe card
You'll need 2 bottles of dry red wine (nothing fancy - save the expensive stuff for drinking!), warming whole spices like cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise, plus fresh oranges for that bright citrus note.
For sweetness, I love using Braun Kandiszucker (German brown rock sugar (affiliate link)) which adds a lovely caramel flavor, but regular brown sugar works perfectly too. Finally, add a splash of brandy for extra warmth - though rum or amaretto (affiliate link) are delicious alternatives if that's what you have on hand.
Best Wine for Mulled Wine
The most common question I get: "What wine should I use?" Here's my honest answer: Use a wine you'd actually enjoy drinking, but don't break the bank! Aim for the $8-15 range (or £6-12 / AU$12-20). You don't need expensive wine - the spices will transform it - but skip the bottom-shelf stuff that'll give you a headache.
What Type of Wine Works Best?
Look for dry, fruity, medium-bodied red wines. The best varietals are:
- Merlot - My personal favorite! Soft and fruity with lower tannins
- Cabernet Sauvignon - Bold and works beautifully with spices
- Zinfandel - Fruit-forward with natural spice notes
- Pinot Noir - Lighter bodied, lets the spices shine
Pro Tip: Boxed wine is perfect for Glühwein, especially for parties!
In Germany? Dornfelder, Trollinger, Lemberger, or Spätburgunder are traditional choices.
Recipe in 4 Easy Steps
- Step 1: Prep the Oranges Slice 2 oranges into rounds and juice the remaining 2 oranges.
- Step 2: Heat Gently Add the red wine, orange slices, fresh orange juice, and all spices to a large pot. Heat gently over low-medium heat to 72°C/161°F. Never let it boil! Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Step 3: Sweeten & Spike Stir in brown sugar to taste (start with half, then adjust). Add rum, brandy, or amaretto (affiliate link) if you want extra warmth.
- Step 4: Strain & Serve Remove the orange slices and spices with a strainer. Serve hot in mugs and enjoy!
- Pro Tip: For even deeper flavor, let the Glühwein sit for 1-2 hours after heating, then gently reheat before serving.
Slow Cooker (affiliate link) Method (Perfect for Parties!)
Easy variation: Add all ingredients (wine, oranges, juice, and spices) to your slow cooker (affiliate link). Set to "low" and heat for 1 hour until warmed through. Switch to "warm" setting to keep it hot all evening. Add sugar and rum to taste before serving. Never use the "high" setting - it will boil off the alcohol!
Recipe Variations
The beauty of homemade mulled wine mix is that you can create it however you fancy. There is no limit to how creative you can be. Here are some inspirations to vary this traditional Glühwein recipe:
- Try different spices: apart from cinnamon, anise and cloves, you can try adding in a vanilla bean (affiliate link), cardamon pods, grated nutmeg, fresh ginger or coriander seeds.
- Vary the liquor: instead of rum, you can also add some brandy or amaretto (affiliate link).
- Vary the wine. In Germany, red wine is most commonly used as a basis for Glühwein. In Austria, Franconia and Italy White wine are very popular. In Hessia they prefer mulled cider. (Apfelwein)
- Try different fruits. You can also add sliced apples, raisins, oranges or cranberries to your mulled wine.
How to serve Glühwein
Serve the mulled wine hot, in cups. If you have a gathering outside you can use a portable induction hob. Also, a crockpot (affiliate link) / slow cooker (affiliate link) would work to keep the wine at a temperature without boiling.
German hot wine is served in mugs. At Christmas Markets, they will have the town's own design on them (some people even collect them)
In Germany, most Glühwein parties are held outside. If you want to offer some food to go with the wine, then finger food is perfect. For example Flammenkuchen or Quiche, cold meats and cheeses. If you want to offer something warm then German Goulash Soup or German Potato Soup with Frankfurters will all be hits.
Storage Instructions
In the unlikely event that you have leftover spiced wine, pour it into clean glass bottles and close them so that they are airtight.
Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can recognize that mulled wine has gone bad, on its rancid taste. Also, the wine may appear cloudy and smell bad.
FAQ
Unfortunately yes. The warmer the drink the sooner the alcohol gets into the blood. Also because it is warm and sweet we tend to drink it faster.
German Glühwein tends to be made with red wine. I recommend choosing a wine which is not too sour, as this could have affected the taste of the Glühwein. Choose a white that is dry to medium dry, fruity and flavoursome. It needs to stand on its own against the mulled wine spices. Do not choose a sweet wine, as it will be more difficult to regulate the sweetness.
For the best Glühwein, choose a wine that you would drink normally. Do not choose the cheapest because it will just give you headache.
Wines I recommend are:
Dornfelder
Trollinger
Lemberger
Merlot
Spätburgunder
For more Christmas drinks try this Christmas Mule Recipe.
Interested in German Christmas?
- Read my Guide on German Christmas Food.
- Discover all about German Christmas Market Food
- And see all of our Christmas Recipes
Recipe
Traditional Glühwein (German Mulled Wine)
Ingredients
- 2 bottles of red wine 75 cl/ 750 ml each
- 4 oranges untreated
- 5 whole cloves
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 3 star anise
- 75 ml (⅓ cup) rum (optional)
- 100 gr (½ cup) brown sugar if you can get Belgium Rock Sugar (affiliate link)
Instructions
- Slice 2 oranges into rounds and juice the remaining 2 oranges.
- Add the red wine, orange slices, fresh orange juice, and all spices to a large pot. Heat gently over low-medium heat. Do not let it boil! The ideal temperature is 72°C/161°F. Anything over 78°C/172°F will evaporate the alcohol. Use a cooking thermometer (affiliate link) to monitor.
- Let the wine simmer gently for at least 20-30 minutes. For even better flavor, turn off the heat and let it steep for 1-2 hours, then reheat before serving.
- Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Start with half, taste, and add more as needed. Better quality wine needs less sugar!
- Stir in the rum, brandy, or amaretto (affiliate link) if using.
- Remove the orange slices and spices using a fine-mesh strainer. Serve hot in mugs.
To make in a slow cooker / crock pot
- Add the red wine, orange slices, fresh orange juice, and spices to your slow cooker (affiliate link).
- Once the wine is fully warmed up, switch the crock pot setting to "warm" - and enjoy this drink with your guests.
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