Best Mulled Wine Recipe - Gluhwein Recipe | Happy Healthy Motivated (2024)

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Learn my super-simple secret to making the best mulled wine recipe ever! The important step is pretty easy to pull off, but it adds an incredible boost of flavour that really separates it from any other mulled wine recipe out there. Seriously - if you serve this to friends and family, absolutely everyone will be asking for your recipe!

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Best Mulled Wine Recipe - Gluhwein Recipe | Happy Healthy Motivated (1)

Before we get into the big secret, I need to let you know one little thing. This mulled wine needs to be left to sit forfive days. Sure, you can drink it as soon as you make it (in which case it'll only take you 30 mins to make) but it's a million times better if you leave it for the full five days. This gives the rich flavours of red wine, cinnamon and citrus plenty of time to infuse and develop, resulting in what really is the best mulled wine recipe ever.

So now we've got that out of the way, I'd better spill the beans, right? Okay, here we go. My secret to making the best mulled wine is caramelisation. I caramelise the sugar with the spices before I add the wine to the pan. Simple, right?

Best Mulled Wine Recipe - Gluhwein Recipe | Happy Healthy Motivated (2)

Caramelising the sugar not only adds a slight caramel flavour, but it also helps bring out the aromas of the spices. While we're talking about spices, I only use 2 - cinnamon and nutmeg. I've found that these are the 2 spices that people really love. My boyfriendSome people can be a bit funny about cloves and star anise. So if you want a delicious mulled wine recipe that everyone will love, this is it.

In the baking world, there's kinda a big debate on caramelisation. Do you stir the brown sugar? Or do you swirl it? If you watch The Great British Bake Off, you'll know this can seriously divide people! In this recipe at least, it doesn't matter. Do whichever you prefer. As long as you don't burn the sugar, you're good to go.

Best Mulled Wine Recipe - Gluhwein Recipe | Happy Healthy Motivated (3)

A lot of the alcohol evaporates during the cooking process, so this mulled wine recipe isn't that strong. If you want something with a bit of a kick (for example, if you've got family round this Christmas!) you want my vodka-spiked mulled wine recipe. That stuff will put a smile on your face, no matter how family festive arguments you've had!

I always find that drinking Christmas drinks out of special glasses just makes everything feel a bit more magical, you know? So while you're treating family and friends to a couple of glasses of the best mulled wine recipe, why not treat yourself to a new set of fancy glasswear? Here are a couple of sets Ilove!

P.S. Are you a stirrer or a swirler? Let me know in the comments!

📖 Recipe

Best Mulled Wine Recipe - Gluhwein Recipe | Happy Healthy Motivated (8)

The Best Mulled Wine Recipe

Learn my secret to making the best mulled wine recipe ever! The secret step is really simple, but it adds an incredible boost of flavour. Everyone will want to know how you made it!

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 150kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 1 bottle (750ml) red wine at room temperature
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • ½ cup grapefruit juice
  • 1 orange sliced into rounds

Instructions

  • Place the sugar, cinnamon stick and grated nutmeg into a large saucepan over a medium-low heat. Watch over the pan until the sugar begins to melt (around 5 minutes). At this point, use a metal spoon to stir the sugar so it melts evenly.

  • When the sugar is fully melted, pour in the red wine. The sugar will harden, but this is fine. Continue stirring, scraping the spoon along the bottom of the pan to remove the hardened sugar.

  • When all the sugar has separated from the bottom of the pan, add the orange juice, grapefruit juice and orange slices into the saucepan. Leave over a medium-low heat for a further 20 minutes to allow the flavours to become bolder and the sugar to dissolve.

  • Sieve the mulled wine into a jug (optional: add the orange slices back into the jug) and leave to cool to room temperature. When cooled, cover the jug's opening with some plastic wrap and leave to stand for 5 days before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal

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  1. Patty Beisel

    I have never made mulled wine. Your recipe sounds very good. What type of red wine do you suggest and do you refrigerate it for the 5 days or leave at room temperature?

    • Nicola

      Thanks so much, Patty! Apart from mulled wine and sangria, I don't drink red wine at all and I know nothing about it! But I can tell you that I use the cheapest of the cheap stuff (literally €0.99 a bottle!) and it tastes amazing. I also leave it to sit at room temperature for the 5 days. thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you love this mulled wine as much as we do.

      Reply

  2. Brian

    Good questions Patty, I also had them.

    Reply

    • Nicola

      Hi Brian, thanks so much for stopping by! I just answered Patty's questions are here are my answers: Apart from mulled wine and sangria, I don't drink red wine at all and I know nothing about it! But I can tell you that I use the cheapest of the cheap stuff (literally €0.99 a bottle!) and it tastes amazing. I also leave it to sit at room temperature for the 5 days.

      Reply

  3. Kate

    How long will it last once it has set the 5 days? Can it be refrigerated and then a cup heated up as needed?

    Reply

    • Nicola

      Hi Kate! If you cover the jug with plastic wrap, or pour the whole thing into a container with a lid, you can definitely keep the mulled wine in the fridge and warm up a cup in the microwave whenever you want one. You'll be able to store it like this for up to 2 weeks. (If it lasts that long!)

      Reply

  4. Padma

    Do you suggest sweet red wine? Cuz mine is sweet and I'm sure it affects the amount of sugar.

    Reply

    • Nicola

      Hey, Padma! I really think it depends how sweet you like your mulled wine. If you like sweet things, use a sweet mulled wine and add the full 1/4 cup sugar. If you're not a fan of sweet drinks, reduce the sugar down to 2 tablespoons if you're using a sweet red wine. You can always taste the wine when it's simmering and add a little more if you think it needs it 🙂

      Reply

  5. Allyson

    Can you do this and not let it sit for 5 days?

    Reply

    • Nicola

      Hi Allyson,
      You can do - the flavour just won't develop as well.

      Reply

  6. Connie

    5?star amazing flavor after 5 days. I used cab sav Bota box wine. It is a keeper. Good at room temp. Will have a glass warm next.

    Reply

Best Mulled Wine Recipe - Gluhwein Recipe | Happy Healthy Motivated (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between mulled wine and Glühwein? ›

Mulled wine is hot spiced wine. Gluhwein is a German term for exactly the same. However, they might not necessarily taste the same way because there are so many different recipes, spice mixes and wines to choose from.

Which wine is best for Glühwein? ›

Zinfandels, Merlots, Syrah/Shiraz, or Garnache tend to work best. Avoid red wines high in tannins or have an oaky flavor, and avoid light reds. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to have a full-bodied, fruity flavor, can work in a pinch, as can Malbec, which tends to have a bold, spicy flavor.

Is Glühwein good for you? ›

It contains high levels of polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that may assist in lowering inflammation in the body. The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits.

How do you make St Christopher Glühwein? ›

Christopher Gluhwein red wine. Pour whole bottle of wine into sauce pan. Add 2-3 cinnamon sticks, handful of walnuts, handful of raisins or craisins, 3/4-1 orange as slices.

How much alcohol is in Glühwein? ›

Officially speaking, the drink is defined by the spices used in it, namely cloves and / or cinnamon. The base also needs to be either white or red wine and have an alcohol content of at least 7%.

Why do Germans drink Glühwein? ›

Glühwein is traditionally served at stalls at Christmas markets across Germany and Austria to keep people warm as they shop and socialize. This recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

What pairs well with glühwein? ›

While it's a nice drink to imbibe on its own, it's always more fun to think of pairings. Truthfully, mulled wine pairs well with everything from roast beef or sausage to cheese platters. Miller loves to take comforting, classic meat and potato dishes and throw in Filipino twists.

What is the best cheap wine for mulled wine? ›

The best red wines for mulled wines taste bright and fresh, such as Grenache, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, fruit-forward Pinot Noir. Inexpensive Bordeaux is another great choice for mulled wine; in fact, claret was a traditional choice for British mulled wine in William Shakespeare's day.

How much alcohol is in Aldi glühwein? ›

Specifications
IngredientsRed Wine (Grapes, Antioxidant: 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞), Granulated Sugar, Flavourings, Acid: Citric Acid; Antioxidant: 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞.
ABV%8
Legal nameAromatised Wine-Based Drink
ManufacturerSpecially Produced for Aldi Stores Ltd., PO Box 26, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 2SH
Maximum purchase quantity10
7 more rows

What is the healthiest wine in the world? ›

5 of the Healthiest Traditional Wines
  1. Pinot Noir. Pinot noir's high resveratrol content, low residual sugar, and lower sulfites make it one of the best red wines for the health-conscious wine drinker. ...
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon. ...
  3. Chardonnay. ...
  4. Rosé ...
  5. Brut Champagne.
Feb 11, 2023

What are the side effects of mulled wine? ›

Although mulled wine has a lower alcohol content, when over-consumed, the natural and added sugars in mulled wine can spike your blood sugar levels rapidly, which can also cause headaches the next day. This is due to hyperglycemia, or reactive hypoglycemia, an over or under-compensation of glucose in your bloodstream.

Is mulled wine inflammatory? ›

The cinnamon in mulled wine has been shown to have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, reducing swelling and restoring normal tissue function. This may help conditions like arthritis.

How long does homemade gluhwein last? ›

Make All of It Ahead of Time

Just follow the directions for your favorite recipe and let the wine simmer with spices until it's deeply infused. Then let the mulled wine cool at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge — it will keep well there for up to three days.

What is the difference between gluhwein and mulled wine? ›

Gluhwein is the German term for a hot spiced wine (It is actually spelled gluehwein, or there are two dots, (an umlaut) over the letter 'u'). Mulled wine is an English language term for hot spiced wine. They may not taste the same because there are many recipes that people have to make hot spice wine.

What is gluhwein in English? ›

noun. glüh·​wein ˈglü-ˌvīn. ˈglᵫ- variants or less commonly gluhwein. : mulled wine.

Is glögg the same as mulled wine? ›

Glögg, gløgg, glögi and similar words are the terms used for mulled wine in the Nordic countries and Estonia (sometimes spelled as glog or glug). It is spelled gløgg in Norwegian, Danish and Faroese, glögg in Swedish and Icelandic and glögi in Finnish and Estonian.

What do Americans call mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine goes by many names—spiced wine, hot wine, glögg, glühwein, and vin chaud are a few I hear used interchangeably.

Is mulled wine very alcoholic? ›

Not much. Mulled wine is warmed, not boiled. Usually with added spices. Whether in a still or in boeuf bourguignon, the higher the heat, the more alcohol is released.

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