Glühwein
/

Glühwein
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.6 / 5
Mulled wine, called "Glühwein" in German, is a traditional and tasty Christmas drink in Germany and the perfect treat for cold winter days. You can buy Glühwein at every German Christmas market, but how about making your own spiced wine at home?
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

Cocktail Of The Day
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brandy
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1065 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Orange, cinnamon
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.89% | 11.4 units *
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hot
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

5/5

Glühwein is a festive melange of warming spices and citrus that beautifully complements the robustness of red wine, creating a delightful hug-in-a-mug for chilly evenings. The addition of brandy not only elevates the alcohol content but also adds a smooth, rich layer that balances the tangy citrus and sweet spices, making for a deeply comforting winter beverage that's both traditional and satisfying.

Method
How to make a Glühwein

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Pour the red wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat (don't boil)
Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, sugar, and star anise
Heat thoroughly, then add the oranges slices and the chopped whole lemon
Simmer the mixture about 45 minutes over low heat, again making sure not to boil
Strain into prewarmed glasses or mugs
Garnish with orange slices or a cinnamon stick and serve hot
~ This recipe is very flexible - if you like your mulled wine sweeter, just add more sugar; if you want it stronger, add some brandy or rum. You can also experiment with other spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom, bay leaves or ginger. You can put some kumquats (mini oranges) into the glasses as an optional garnish. ~

Power tips
Elevate the Glühwein with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Preheat the mugs or glasses by rinsing them with hot water before pouring in the Glühwein. This helps maintain the drink's warmth for a longer period.
For an added layer of spice, include a star anise and a few dashes of allspice in your mulling mixture. These spices can enhance the complexity of the drink.
Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Strain  ·  Garnish  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

  • Cozy Up with Warming Cocktails
  • Fireside Sips: Cocktails to Warm Up Your Bonfire Night
  • Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipes
  • 24 Thanksgiving Holiday Cocktails to Liven Up Your Thanksgiving Day
  • POV: Celebrity

As the mercury drops and the days grow shorter, there’s no better way to fend off the chill than by...

Go to collection

FAQ's

Occasion suitability icon

What is the best occasion to serve Glühwein?

Glühwein is traditionally served during the winter holidays, especially at Christmas markets in Germany and Austria. It's perfect for any cold-weather gathering or to warm up during the festive season.

Faq icon

Can Glühwein be made in advance?

Yes, Glühwein can be made in advance. It actually tastes better when the flavors have had time to meld together. Just prepare it, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving to avoid boiling and potentially burning off the alcohol.

Faq icon

What kind of red wine is best for Glühwein?

For Glühwein, it's best to use a full-bodied, fruity red wine that's not too sweet nor too dry. Varietals like Merlot, Zinfandel, or a young Cabernet work well, as their flavors complement the spices without being overwhelmed.

Non alcoholic variations icon

Is there a non-alcoholic version of Glühwein?

Yes, there is a non-alcoholic version called 'Kinderpunsch,' which is popular in Germany. It uses similar spices but replaces the wine and brandy with fruit juices, such as apple or grape juice, making it suitable for children and those avoiding alcohol.

Serving suggestions icon

How should Glühwein be served to preserve its flavors?

Glühwein should be served hot but not boiling, as excessive heat can evaporate the alcohol and alter the taste of the spices. An ideal serving temperature is around 70°C (158°F). Use heat-resistant glasses or mugs to prevent cracking.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image