German Mulled Wine | Glühwein {VIDEO}

Mulled Wine, or Glühwein as it’s called in German-speaking countries, is a traditional beverage that is offered during the Christmas holidays. It’s a winter version of sangria that tastes like Christmas. If you’re entertaining a crowd, this mulled wine recipe can be made and served in a slow cooker, or simply make a small batch on your stovetop. Start a new family tradition with this belly-warming holiday punch recipe.

We love the holidays and if we’re not enjoying this mulled wine, you’ll probably find us serving Cran-Cherry Whiskey Sour, Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer, Cranberry Mulled Ale, or Pumpkin Spice Hot Buttered Rum during the holidays.

Be sure to sign up for my email… to get new recipes and ideas in your inbox!

Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest!

What is Mulled Wine?

I’m serving mulled wine today for a Thanksgiving Cocktail Bloghop. It’s kind of like mulled cider……only better!

I recently learned about Mulled Wine at a wine tasting event at our local grocery store.

I was chatting and sampling wine with the fun lady at the yellow tail table when she told me about Glühwein or mulled wine.  She said mulled wines have been warming people for centuries.

Typically mulled wine is made with red wine, the wine is sweetened, spiced and heated.

She assured me that the mulled wine is a delightful alternative to traditional coffee, cider or a hot toddy at holiday gatherings or just on a cold winter’s night.

I wrote down everything she told me to make German spiced wine, bought a bottle of yellow tail sangria and figured I’d make it for one of our holiday gatherings. 

The Secret To Making Mulled Wine

I was told the secret to a good mulled wine, is to toast the spices in a pan for a bit to intensify their flavors, and to add a little apple cider, honey and brandy to the wine.

Mulled wine is like a mix of a spicy mulled cider, sangria, and a punch. It’s sweet and tangy and tastes just like Christmas in a glass! Hot wine it’s guaranteed to warm you up on a cold winter day.

 RELATED: CARAMEL APPLE MOSCOW MULE

I made mine on the stovetop, but it can also be kept warm in a slow cooker to serve at your next holiday party.

What Wine Is Best For Mulled Wine

Since mulling wine disguises a lot of the taste of the wine, don’t choose a delicately flavored wine such as pinot noir. Go for an inexpensive fruity full-bodied red wine that’s on the sweet side try Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel or yellow tail Sangria.

Homemade mulled wine is so easy to make, don’t be tempted by the overly sweet pre-mixed spiced wines you might see in the store.

How to Make Mulled Wine

(full printable recipe at the end of this post)

Mulled wine is cheap easy and forgiving.

No need to break the bank. Use a cheap red wine, that is fruity.

Whole spices – I picked mine up in the bulk section at Whole Foods, that way you can just buy a small amount.  Heat/toast the spices in a pan for a bit, add them to the pot of wine, with a little honey and apple cider.  And let it simmer.

How simple is that?  I added some lemon, lime and orange slices before serving and just a little brandy.  You could omit the brandy and add it to each glass if you’d prefer.

Now you’re ready to fill up your glasses and snuggle by the fire or party!

What To Serve With Mulled Wine

Party pleasing appetizers like a Fall Charcuterie Board with a Smoky Cheese Ball and Savory Shortbread Cheese Crisps would be wonderful severed with mulled wine.

Desserts such as Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Creme Brulee or Red Velvet Cookies are festive choices.

Like This German Mulled Wine Recipe? Pin It!

Be sure to check out more Holiday Cocktail Recipes from the other bloggers.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Cocktail – Home Stories A to Z | Pumpkin Pie Martini – Sand & Sisal | Low Calorie Hot Apple Pie Cocktail – The Picket Fence | Mulled Wine – TidyMom | Maple Cidertini Martini – Finding Home | Cranberry Fizz Mocktail – Thistlewood Farms | Quick Hot Apple Cider – Four Generations One Roof

Follow Along On Social Media

If you’re looking for even more inspiration check out the fun little group I created on Facebook, I’d love for you to join in! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, home tips, creative ideas and ask questions and see what’s new with TidyMom! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #tidymom so I can see all the wonderful TidyMom recipes YOU make and tips YOU use!

Connect with TidyMom!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Sign up to receive an email in your inbox for each new recipe:

FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

Continue to Content

Mulled Wine

Yield: 6 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Print

Mulled Wine or Glühwein is a warm winter German version of sangria that tastes like Christmas. Start a new family tradition with this belly-warming hot holiday punch recipe

Ingredients

• 1 bottle red wine (750ml) - use an inexpensive fruity red that's on the sweet side try Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel or yellow tail Sangria
• 3 cups unsweetened apple cider
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean, cut lengthwise
• 4-5 star anise
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon, fresh ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 lime, slice
• cranberries (optional for garnish)
• 1 small orange sliced

Instructions

1. Combine wine, cider and honey into a pot or slow cooker and heat over low to medium heat.
2. Place cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, star anise, cloves and ground nutmeg in a small sauce pan and roast over medium heat for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add spices to wine mixture and continue to heat for about 25-30 minutes, making sure it doesn’t come to a boil and stirring occasionally to make sure the honey dissolves.
3. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to serve.
4. Just before serving add brandy and about 1 cup of the sliced fruit to the mulled wine(reserve remaining for garnish). Ladle the mulled wine into mugs (leave seasonings behind) and a cinnamon stick, a few cranberries and some of the sliced fruit to each glass for garnish, and enjoy!
5. Mulled wine can be left on the stove to heat for many hours. It can also be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Dutch Oven, Round 5 Qt. Cast Iron
• 
  Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware, Sauce Pan, 4 1/2-quart
• 
  Crock-Pot Cook & Carry 6-Quart Oval Portable Manual Slow Cooker 
• 
  Glass Coffee Mugs
• 
  Nutmeg, Whole
• 
  Whole Cloves
• 
  Star Anise
• 
  Vanilla Beans 
• 
  McCormick Cinnamon Sticks

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 cups Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 344Saturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram