Mulled Wine Recipe (Glühwein)

There's nothing better then a hot cop of spiced wine on a cold autumn day! Its especially lovely to drink outside at a market or as you're strolling through the forest (often little huts are set up in the forest selling Glühwein). In Germany its easy to find ready-made mixes that you can just sprinkle into a pot of wine and then heat up on the stove, but making your own has an awesome pay off! This recipe is from Bella Online and I've made similar variations of it over the years. Keep in mind that if you're serving this to guests, its nice to have savory/salty treats on hand so it counters the alcohol and the sweetness of the Glühwein.  Spiced wine on an empty stomach can be ... harsh ... for lack of a better word!  

Makes around 8 servings
Ingredients: 

• 1 bottle of red wine. Use an inexpensive full bodied fruity wine. You don't want to use an expensive bottle and try to avoid one with oak aging. Ruby Cabernet, red Zinfandel or Syrah - Shiraz is ideal.

• 2 - Cinnamon sticks – Break the sticks into pieces 1 – 2 inches each

• 16 Whole Cloves 

• 1 Orange

• 2 Tablespoons honey (make sure its runny in consistency)

• 1 heaped teaspoon mixed ground spices – allspice, nutmeg & coriander mixed 

• Water – wineglass full

Method 

1. Put water in large pan and place over medium heat.

2. Add cinnamon honey and spices.

3. While honey is dissolving cut the orange into quarter lengthways, then cut them in half so you have eight pieces. Push two of the cloves into the skin of each piece and add to the pan. {Make sure they are really pushed in there, you don't want someone Swallowing a clove!}

4. Pour in all the wine. 

5. Bring the heat up. It shouldn't boil so when bubbles start rising, turn the heat off. 

6. As soon as it's cool enough to taste, test it for sweetness. If it's not sweet enough add sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.

7. Let the pan stand for an hour or longer so the flavours develop. 

8. Warm gently before serving and spoon out into a heatproof glass, leaving the oranges and cinnamon behind. Garnish with a fresh stick of cinnamon.

Variations: 

Some add brandy to give the Glühwein more body, but of course that adds to the alcohol content. Another way of adding body is to pour a glass or two of Port into the mix.


Enjoy your spiced wine!