Gluhwein – German Mulled Wine for #SundaySupper

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.

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Gluhwein (Glühwein) – German Mulled Wine

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.

Course Drinks

Cuisine German

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Author Renee

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 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

1. 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.
2. 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.