Every culture has its own version of mulled wine. The concept is basically the same, though the ingredients may vary a bit. Some call for star anise, others omit the orange and many may call for a different type of red wine as the base.
Whether it is called mulled wine, spiced wine or wine brulée, or vin chaud, they all have one thing in common -they taste scrum-deli-icious and it warms you from the inside out.
The one thing to remember here is not to spend money on a bottle of expensive wine. Use an inexpensive bottle, or something you have leftover.
A German friend was kind enough to share her family’s version, served primarily during the holiday season. You can find this on offer at just about any German Christmas market worth its weight in pfeffernussen.
It is called Glühwein. Pronounced gloo-vine.
Here is her family recipe:
Glühwein
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 large seedless orange, cut in half
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 bottle Merlot
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In a large pot, heat up wine and the juice of one half of the orange.
Cut the other orange half into 1/2 inch slices and add to the pot along with the cloves.
In a small pot, bring water, sugar and cinnamon stick to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, until thick and syrupy.
Add to the wine and serve!
Let’s toast with an authentic German cheer…Prost! Zum Wohl!
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Have you ever tried mulled wine? How do you prefer yours? Which culture holds your favorite recipe?