Bring on the holiday parties! It's a season of cheer and merriment so we might as well have some fun. What better way than to celebrate with family and friends? Oh, and there are co-workers too. Sometimes I forget about company holiday parties. It has been a few years since I went to one of those. Anyway, one sure way to get festive and warm up at the same time is with Gluhwein (or Glühwein as spelled in German).
The first time I had Gluhwein was in Germany. It was when I went on a trip there with my mother. We went in February for her birthday. One thing for sure, it is darn cold there in February. I think the "warmest" day there was a whopping 33 degrees. We went shopping one day in Nurmberg and I was chilled to the bone. Luckily we spotted some Glühwein. The hot mulled wine warmed me up in a flash.
I had to have some on my recent trip there. It was about the same scenario - a cold day walking around Regensburg. My mom saw a sign in a window and we immediately went in to get some. Oh how it hit the spot again. I knew I would have to make some after I returned home. Then I could enjoy it with some of my annual treats like spiced pecans.
The recipe is one I created to suite my taste. Most recipes I found had a lot of clove or some ingredients or methods that did not appeal to me. Traditionally the spices and citrus are heated with the wine. I wanted to make it in a way to add wine at the end so it would not heat long at all. Oh, and use a light, dry red wine such as a Pinot Noir and one you would drink by itself.
Today's Sunday Supper event is about holiday drinks and appetizers. We have recipes galore for your next big party or small gathering with family and friends:
Holiday Cocktails
- Glühwein from Magnolia Days
- Cookies-n-Cream Cocktails from The Urban Mrs
- Cranberry Fizz from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Rosemary Orange Punsch from Galactopdx
- Candy Cane Martini from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Raspberry Hot Chocolate from Momma's Meals
- Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog from The Daily Dish Recipes
- Jamaican Sorrel from The Lovely Pantry
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Spoons from Chocolate Moosey
- Homemade Eggnog from Flour on my Face
- Moroccan Mint Tea from MarocMama
- Cherry Bomb from Noshing with the Nolands
- Wassail from There And Back Again
- Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Pomegranate Cosmo from Supper For A Steal
- Poinsettia Mimosas from Big Bear's Wife
- Mulled Wine: Spiked and Steamy from Daddy Knows Less
- Poinsettia Cocktails from The Catholic Foodie
- The Red Carpet Diva from Cooking Underwriter
Holiday Appetizers or Hors d'oeuvres
- Cheese Ball Wreath from The Meltaways
- Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts from My Catholic Kitchen
- Prosciutto Goat Cheese Rolls with Fig Preserves and Arugula from Shockingly Delicious
- Muenster and Spinach Pinwheels from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Drunk Moose Meatballs from The Foodie Army Wife
- Smoked Salmon Blinis with Cranberry-Spiced Feta from Chattering Kitchen
- Sticky Wholegrain Mustard & Ginger Cocktail Sausages from girlichef
- Potato Leek Soup from What Smells So Good
- Cheesy Mushroom Pull Apart Bread from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- 5 Quick & Easy Appetizers for Your Holiday Party from Webicurean
- Bacon Peanut Caramel Corn from Gotta Get Baked
- Crostini topped with Voodoo Chicken Cream Dip from Country Girl in the Village
- Mushroom Strudel from Vintage Kitchen
- Roxanne's Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Queso Dip from The ROXX Box
- Herbed Holiday Party Mix from Curious Cuisiniere
- Old fashioned Swedish Meatballs from I Run For Wine
- Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bites from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Fried Green Beans with Wasabi Ranch from Juanita's Cocina
- Salsa Baked Cheese from Home Cooking Memories
- Cookie Dough Dip from The Cookie-A-Day Challenge
- Parmesan Onion Rounds from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Lip-smacking Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs from In The Kitchen with KP
- Hot Spinach Parmesan Dip from Comfy Cuisine
- Indian Spiced Tuna Balls from Soni's Food
- Onion marmalade with Bacon from Ruffles and Truffles
- Sweet Potato Dip from Mama's Blissful Bites
- Festive Cucumber & Ginger Sushi Rolls from The Ninja Baker
- Baked Brie from Family Foodie
- Baked Jalapeno Popper Ranch Dip from The Weekend Gourmet
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check our our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Gluhwein (Glühwein) – German Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cardamom seeds/pods
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- Peel and juice of 1 orange
- Peel and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 bottle dry red wine 750ml, pinot noir recommended
Instructions
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Put all ingredients except the wine in a small pot. Stir ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 45 mintutes to 1 hour.
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Pour syrup into a larger pot through a strainer or sieve. Discard spices and citrus peels. Add the wine to the pot and heat to just under a simmer. Watch over and do not let it boil. Serve hot.
Recipe Notes
A recipe for gluhwein (glühwein) - a German mulled wine traditionally served during the Christmas season. Red wine is mulled with spices and citrus and served hot.
Need a version of mulled wine that doesn't require making syrup? See a simpler recipe here.
I love this version of mulled wine. It is the time of year for it. Thanks for sharing with us.
I have never made mulled wine... now I can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing during #SundaySupper
Sounds inviting Renee. Perfect for a party!
I love mulled wine and this sounds perfect for a holiday party.
I lived in the Eifel area of Germany near the Mosel river, there they use white wine versus red.
Interesting. I'll have to try it with white wine some day. I think the citrus part would go well with certain ones.
That looks good! I have a Mulled Wine coming up on my blog on Friday...slightly different. Like your version!
Thanks Dorothy. I can't wait to see your recipe too.
I've never had mulled wine, but this sounds terrific. I love the citrus in it. Like a warm sangria!
I had not thought about it being like a warm sangria. So true.
So fun that you brought home some inspiration from Germany! This looks perfect for a holiday party!!! The star anise is a gorgeous garnish, too 🙂
Thanks Liz! I do love the way star anise looks. I even thought about making some sort of kitchen Christmas ornament or decoration with them.
Oh this seems right up my ally!! Can't wait until this little bambino is born so I can enjoy a nice cocktail like this! Happy #SundaySupper!
I love mulled wine! I bet this smells like Christmas!
Gluehwein is a "must" at all of our parties. Your version looks fantastic!!!
Thanks Bea! That's a real compliment coming from a German.
I have never had mulled wine and now I want to try this.
A very warming drink for sure! I can´t get enough of this combination of spices, they work so well in so many things!
Thanks Paula. I thought about using the combination in baked goods (like a bundt cake). Perhaps soon.
I have always wanted to try mulled wine, and yours looks just right. Can't wait to give it a try!
Mulled wine is one of my favourite things about the Christmas season
Yes, it is to me too. Quite festive.
Now that sounds great. I love mulled wine!!
Oh Renee, I cannot wait to try this!! I love the sound of spices simmering in red wine and it sounds perfect for the winter months 🙂
I first had this when we lived in Germany. I was so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Thanks Conni and thanks also for hosting the event!
Wow! If I drank I'd love this one!
I have never tried this kind of a drink before - it sounds awesome!!!
Oh I love mulled wine!!! And using cardamom, my favorite spice, is genius. I'm totally making this!
I have started using cardamom more lately. It is a wonderful spice.
I love that you found a way to make gluwein without simmering the wine. Gotta keep that alcohol content... you know, for good measure. It helps with the warming 😉 This sounds wonderful, Renee!
Thanks Heather! I agree, not simmering the wine for an hour or so does help keep the alcohol content and I think it is better for the overall flavor.
Renee, can you believe I've never had mulled wine?! I'm a bit of a lush so it's shocking, really. It sounds amazing though! I was at a holiday party a few weeks ago and one of the hosts made mulled wine. They also made homemade Baileys so I drank that all night instead of trying the wine. Darned missed opportunities! I can't wait for the day that I do try this. Happy holidays!
Yep, darn missed opportunities. You do need to try it soon.
Love the idea of steeping all the spices first, then adding the wine!
Thanks Brianne. The thought of red wine heating for a while did not sound good to me.
I was wondering what this was when I saw the name. Wouldnt mind trying this!
Sounds fantastic! I cannot wait to try it 🙂
Love all the spices, sounds delicious!
Thanks Erin. It smells so great when the spices and citrus are simmering.
This looks fabulous! I've never had it but I might just change that. Its interesting that its served hot!
You have to try it Lyn! Especially on a really cold day. It warms you up nicely.
Yummmm...this sounds so warm and delicious!!
Love the addition of the star anise. Cant wait to try this
This is a beautiful drink. YUM.
Germany is famous for its cold and tummy-warming food and drink. Thank you, Renee, for sharing your family story and recipe!
Never made mulled wine before & this seems like a great recipe. Beautiful. love the spice in it. Will try it !
Yes! Finally something about click here.