Glühwein (lit. glow wine; mulled wine) is a favorite at (German) Christmas markets but you can also make it at home. Or buy it if you can find it at your local liquor store.
Spiced wine is not exactly a new thing, the ancient Romans used to spice up their wine to make it more enjoyable or drinkable. The sugar helped make the wine last longer. In the Middle Ages, Gewürzwein (herb wine) became somewhat of a status symbol because only the wealthy could afford spices.
And heating up wine is also not new. I mean why wouldn’t you heat up a drink if it’s cold outside?
History
Heated spiced wine was recorded in Middle Germany for the first time in Saxony in 1843, though the Swedes also have recipes for mulled wine from that time; they call it Glögg. Glögg is sweeter than Glühwein, contains more alcohol, and contains almonds and raisins.
Traditional Glühwein
The Glühwein as we know it today dates to 1956. Rudolf Kunzmann produced wine with sugar and spices and sold it. According to the wine law at the time, adding sugar to wine was forbidden, so he was fined. Obviously and fortunately, the law was changed, and we can all enjoy a nice Glühwein at the Christmas market or at home.
I suggest using dry red wine and not the most expensive one either. It depends on your taste how much sugar, oranges, and spices you want to use. This recipe is not written in stone. If you’ve never had mulled wine, omit the rum at first. Hot alcohol can hit you really fast.
Ancient Roman Glühwein
If you prefer an older recipe, like 2000 years old from the Roman Apicius called “conditum paradoxum” (exquisite herb wine), mix 5 liters of red wine with 1 liter of honey, add 30 star anises, cinnamon sticks, bay, coriander, cloves, and thyme.
White Glühwein
You can probably guess from the name “white” that this mulled wine is made with white wine instead of red. The recipe is relatively similar and just like for red Glühwein, you should only heat the wine not boil it.
A typical recipe combines 1.5 liters of white wine (Chardonnay for example), 1 orange and 1 lemon, (both cut into slices), 4 tbsp of rock sugar/candy, 125 ml orange juice, 2 cloves, and 80 ml rum. Slowly heat up and add star anise and/or cinnamon as decoration.
Glühwein Spritz
You know Aperol Spritz, but how about Glühwein Spritz? If you have some left-over mulled wine, take about 50 ml of it, mix with a little sparkling water, 1 cl orange liqueur, fill up with 100 ml prosecco, champagne, or white wine. Add some ice cubes and oranges slices.
