Mulled Wine (Glühwein) - Seasonal Recipe

Mulled Wine (Glühwein)

🌍 Seasonal, Winter Difficulty: ●●●○○

Mulled wine (Glühwein in German, meaning "glow wine") has been drunk in Europe since Roman times; it became associated with Christmas markets in Germany and Austria in the 19th century and now defines winter markets from Vienna to Edinburgh.

Ingredients

• 2 bottles (1.5 litres) dry red wine (Pinot Noir, Côtes du Rhône, or Dornfelder)
• 120ml (½ cup) brandy or dark rum
• 1 orange, studded with 6 whole cloves, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 star anise
• 1 tsp whole allspice berries
• ½ tsp whole peppercorns
• 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 4 tbsp sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
• 1 vanilla pod, split (optional)

Method

1. Combining — Combine wine, brandy, orange, lemon, and all spices in a large pot.
2. Heating — Heat over medium-low to just below a simmer — look for wisps of steam but no bubbles. Do not boil (alcohol evaporates and flavour coarsens).
3. Step 3 — Maintain this temperature for 20–40 minutes.
4. Adding — Add sugar or honey; stir to dissolve. Taste and adjust sweetness and spice.
5. Straining — Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a serving vessel. Ladle into heatproof mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish.

Tags: bottles dry red wine, brandy or dark rum, orange, lemon, cinnamon sticks · Source: Brittani's Almanac