German Gluhwein – A Great Spiced Warm Fruity Wine
If you haven’t heard of German Gluhwein, then you might be more familiar with the term Mulled Wine. Gluhwein is a German classic that is traditionally served around the winter holidays.
Whether you love, mildly like, or dislike red wine, everyone should have a taste! This classic drink encompasses everything your body craves during the winter months… warmth, comfort, and just a bit of a nice buzz (or more), haha!
It’s incredibly easy to make this beverage and only requires a bottle of red wine, some spices, some citrus fruit, and a touch of sugar. The key to making Gluhwein is to slowly heat red wine with all the different delicious ingredients. This allows all the different flavors from the spices and fruit to infuse yet maintain the alcohol from the wine.
Give this German Gluhwein a shot! Let me know what you think of the recipe in the comments section below or on any of my social media platforms. If you’re posting on Instagram, make sure to tag me at @nuttinelli and include #nuttinelli so I can see your amazing creations!
SELECTING A RED WINE
Another important key to making your Gluhwein even better is being mindful in choosing your red wine. Whether or not you are thoroughly educated in the history, background, or creation of wine, it doesn’t hurt to understand exactly what you are putting into your body.
Personally, I am allergic to alcohol and my body isn’t able to metabolize alcohol like most people. Instead, I become very flushed and if I consume too much will be very sick.
My good friend Felicia sells delicious Vegan Wine and educates people about it. She specifically even works to help you pair different types of wines with different types of food. Felicia picked out this delicious Red Blend from Scout and Cellar to pair with the Gluhwein recipe.
Fortunately, Felicia also gave me more insight on the importance of knowing where and how your wine is produced. If you aren’t familiar with the process of wine, not all wine is actually vegan.
Wine is traditionally filtered through fish bladders… I know it’s an image I will never be able to remove from my mind. But another important factor to note is that with large scale vineyards, there is less control with the quality of the grapes that are being harvested.
I will admit, I was not 100% sold on the difference with organic wine vs. non-organic wine, but after trying a glass of wine from Scout and Cellar, I was a big-time believer! For the first time ever, I didn’t experience any of my alcohol allergies and I didn’t become flushed!
If you would like more information or would like to purchase some of these amazing wines to try for yourself, then head over to her website!
TIPS & TRICKS
- Slowly heat the wine and don’t let it boil!
- Press the cloves into the orange halves so that they don’t float all around. It is much easier to strain this way!
- Don’t skip the lemon juice! This isn’t necessarily found in other recipes but it adds a nice flavor that you don’t want to miss!
THE MORE YOU KNOW
Red Wine
Like I talked about earlier, not all wine is vegan, so be cautious in selecting your wine. Any type of red wine pairs well with the recipe, but I would recommend a Red Blend.
I hope you enjoy this deliciously warm and easy German classic Gluhwein whether or not it may be holiday season!
THANKS FOR READING
I hope you get to try out this delicious drink this holiday season! It is personally one of my favorites and I hope you ENJOY!
– Janelle
German Gluhwein
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Red Wine 750ml
- 14 Whole Cloves
- 3 Whole Star Anise
- 3 Whole Cinnamon Sticks
- 5 Wole Allspice Berries optional
- 1 Orange halved
- ½ Lemon juiced
- ¼-½ cup Sugar
Instructions
- Cut the Orange in half and juice. Press 7 cloves into each half.
- Throw the Lemon juice, Orange juice, and ¼ cup sugar into the pot.
- Heat up the mixture on medium low heat to dissolve all the sugar.
- Pour in the Wine and then toss in the Orange halves, Allspice, Star Anise, and Cinnamon Sticks.
- Heat until you can see steam coming off the wine, but do not boil.
- Taste to see if you want to add some sweetness. Add in ¼ cup of sugar for a sweeter Gluhwein.
- Keep warm or serve right away!