Make authentic German Glühwein with six simple ingredients! This delicious traditional mulled wine recipe is a wonderful and unique beverage to serve to your guests this holiday season.
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About this German Glühwein Recipe
This warming German Glühwein will transport you all the way to the Christmas markets in Germany! It is the best wine cocktail to serve during the holiday season since it’s extra cozy and full of classic Christmas mulling spices.
I had help snagging this recipe from my sister who married a (very lovely) Danish-German guy. She lives in Germany now and helped me hunt down an authentic recipe, and I am delighted that the perfect one was a family recipe! This one is from my sister’s mother-in-law.
The word “Glühwein” translates to “glow-wine” or “mulled wine.” The name comes from the glowing hot irons used to mull the wine back in the day, and the comforting feeling of warmth you get after drinking it. The recipe is very similar to the American adaptation of mulled wine, but just a tad different.
I know my fellow Americans may be wondering, “How in the world do I pronounce this word?” You’re not alone! It’s pronounced like “glue-vine” — so now you won’t mess up the name when you make this delicious warming drink for your Christmas parties.
More wine recipes: Red Wine Spritzer • Red Christmas Sangria • White Wine Spritzer • Apple Cider Sangria
Why you’ll love this recipe
You’re going to love every warm, spiced sip of this classic German holiday drink:
- This mulled wine is full of flavor! There’s nothing boring about it, that’s for sure. It’s a crowd-favorite, so be ready to share the recipe!
- You really don’t have to do much mixology with this recipe. It’s more of a dump and go, punch-like drink.
- After simmering, leave this on low on the stovetop (or in a slow cooker on the keep warm setting!) for really easy serving at parties.
- Bonus: The spices in Glühwein (and other mulled drinks like mulled cider) will make your house smell incredible.
What is Glühwein?
Glühwein is the German version of mulled wine, also called glogg in Denmark and other countries. There are many holiday drinks around the world, and I learned while writing this article that pretty much every country has a version of mulled wine!
German Glühwein this one is made with lemon, warming spices and red wine, like merlot or cabernet sauvignon. It is traditionally served at the outdoor Christmas markets throughout Germany.
Tools & glassware
To make this mulled wine, you’ll need a dutch oven * or a large pot, as well as measuring cups and spoons and a mixing spoon. For an easy way to keep the Glühwein warm during a party, transfer it to a slow cooker on the keep warm setting. Make sure you also have a citrus juice on hand for the lemon!
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Ingredients
You only need six simple ingredients to make this smooth and flavorful German mulled wine:
- water
- sugar
- whole cloves
- cinnamon sticks
- lemon
- red wine, such as merlot or cabernet sauvignon
Variations and Substitutions
Don’t have lemons on hand? You can use an orange instead. It will change the flavor a bit, but is super tasty!
Add a shot of rum, whiskey or amaretto to your glass of Glüwein if you want! Brandy is also tasty in mulled wine.
For more bold flavors, add some star anise pods or even fresh ginger. A little vanilla extract * and cranberries could be tasty additions too.
Non-alcoholic version: My sister’s mother-in-law tells me you can make a non-alcoholic version with grape juice for the kids and non-drinkers. Grape juice is very sweet on its own, so she recommends adding the sugar later on after you’ve tasted it. Cranberry juice would also work, or a mixture!
Best red wine for German Glühwein
Personally, I recommend using a good Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re more of a more fruity red wine fan, then you would probably prefer the flavor of Merlot. Cabernet is typically going to be more rich and full-bodied, but both of these wines will work well for Glühwein.
You can also reach for a red blend or even a red Zinfandel! Pinot Noir works as well for another more fruity option.
Still need some help? I’ve got a guide to red wine just for you! (And I’ve also got one for white, rosé and sparkling wines — just in case. That last one will totally come in handy for New Year’s Eve!)
Instructions
Follow these simple instructions for this gluhwein recipe to make a cozy mulled wine that everyone will love:
In a large pot or dutch oven * over medium-high heat, stir together water, sugar, cloves cinnamon sticks and lemon peel and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the lemon juice and red wine, then reduce the heat to medium. Heat the wine mixture to 180°F (80°C), about 5-10 minutes. Above that temperature, the alcohol will begin to cook out. We simply want to warm it. (I use a candy thermometer * to keep tabs on the temp.)
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Reduce heat to low and let flavors infuse for 15 minutes more, then remove it from the heat.
When you’re ready to serve, warm on low heat. Serve in mugs or insulated glasses. Garnish with an orange wedge and/or a cinnamon stick.
Storage tips
Store cooled mulled wine an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to remove the fruits and spices, especially the lemon peel, which can add bitterness.
Tips & tricks
These few tips and tricks will help you make German Glühwein a success:
- Watch the pot of wine closely as it simmers so that you can ensure it doesn’t hit a rolling boil. A small simmer is all you need to meld the warm spices and delicious red wine together. You can use a candy thermometer * to monitor the temperature
- Serving at a party? Give the mulled wine a quick stir every so often to keep everything well mixed together. Keep the heat on low and a lid on the pot so it doesn’t evaporate away.
- Don’t use ground spices in place of whole spices. They will settle at the bottom and create a grainy texture in your drink.
Food pairings
Pair this German Glühwein with some fresh German pretzels and beer cheese dip! You can simply serve this with a charcuterie board too for a party. Raclette cheese is also popular in the Swiss alps region — raclette parties are so fun!
If you want an authentic German Christmas market experience, serve up some Reibekuchen potato pancakes and Käsespätzle (like mac & cheese!).
For a cozy sweet pairing, serve this mulled wine some Gebrannte Nüsse (candied nuts) and gingerbread cookies would also be a classic.
And if you fancy a fun dinner pairing, pork and sauerkraut would be a good German-inspired dinner! Beef Rouladen is a traditional German dish served on Christmas Day that would be perfect too.
FAQ
The word Glühwein directly translates to “glow wine.” The name likely comes from the glowing hot irons used to heat the pots of this warm spiced wine drink.
Yes, mulled wine does contain alcohol. The heating process does sometimes lower the alcohol content, but it definitely does not make it a non-alcoholic beverage!
More holiday drink recipes
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Glühwein (German Mulled Wine)
ingredients
instructions
- In a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, stir together water, sugar, cloves, cinnamon sticks and lemon peel. Bring to a boil.
- Add lemon juice and red wine. Reduce heat to medium. Heat the wine mixture to 180°F (80°C), about 5-10 minutes. (Above that temperature, the alcohol will begin to cook out. We simply want to warm it.)
- Reduce heat to low and let flavors infuse for 15 minutes more. Remove from heat.
- When ready to serve, warm on low heat. Serve in mugs or insulated glasses. Garnish with an orange wedge and/or a cinnamon stick.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to remove the fruits and spices, especially the lemon peel, which can add bitterness.
notes
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