Description
This Easy Gluhwein Recipe is a warm and cozy German mulled wine infused with aromatic spices, fresh fruits, and optional brandy. Perfect for festive gatherings or chilly evenings, it combines red wine and orange juice with cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and fresh cranberries to create a comforting and flavorful beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquids
- 2 bottles dry red wine
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/2 cup brandy (optional)
Sweeteners
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or maple syrup/agave)
Fruits
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
Spices
- 10 whole cloves
- 4 star anise
- 6 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Heat sugar and juice: Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat on the stove. Add the orange juice and granulated sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add wine and spices: Pour in the dry red wine along with the whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, sliced oranges, and fresh cranberries. Add the brandy if desired for extra depth of flavor.
- Simmer gently: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the spices and fruits to infuse the wine deeply. Stir occasionally and monitor the heat to avoid boiling.
- Taste and adjust: After simmering, taste the Gluhwein and adjust sweetness or brandy levels as you prefer. You can simmer longer (up to a couple of hours) for more intense flavors if time allows.
- Serve warm: Ladle the mulled wine into mugs and garnish with additional cinnamon sticks, orange peel, star anise, and cranberries for a festive presentation. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use quality dry red wine such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon for best results.
- Substitute granulated sugar with maple syrup or agave for a different sweetness profile.
- If you prefer, omit brandy to keep the beverage alcohol level moderate.
- Whole spices provide the best flavor infusion but can be strained out before serving if desired.
- Simmering low and slow preserves the delicate alcohol content and brings out deeper spice notes.
- Gluhwein can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
