As the winter chill settles in and holiday lights twinkle, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of glühwein. This traditional German mulled wine, whose name literally translates to “glow wine,” has been warming souls for centuries.
The story of mulled wine begins in ancient Rome, where soldiers would heat wine to warm themselves during cold winter campaigns. As the Romans expanded their empire, they brought this practice across Europe, including to the regions that would later become Germany. By the 1400s, spiced and heated wine had become deeply embedded in German culture.
Glühwein’s popularity soared with the rise of Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkts) in German-speaking countries. These markets, dating back to the late Middle Ages, needed something to keep merchants and shoppers warm during the cold winter nights. Glühwein proved perfect, offering both warmth and holiday cheer.
While regional variations exist, the core elements of glühwein have remained consistent through the centuries. Here’s my favorite version of this historic drink:
Ingredients
- 1 medium orange
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 10 to 20 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry red wine
- Rum or amaretto, for serving (optional)
The Art of Preparation
- Begin by combining water and sugar in a large pot.
- Zest and juice your orange, adding both to the pot.
- Add your spices – the cloves (studded into the orange peel), cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
- Heat this mixture on low for 20-30 minutes, allowing the spices to fully infuse.
- Add your chosen red wine and heat gently for just 3-4 minutes – this is crucial, as you don’t want to cook off the alcohol.
Choose a dry red wine that’s good enough to drink but not too precious. Some add brandy or rum for extra warmth, while others include additional spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
Whether you’re hosting a winter gathering or simply seeking a cozy evening drink, this time-honored recipe connects you to generations of winter revelers who found warmth and cheer in this spiced, glowing wine. So as winter’s chill sets in, warm up with this piece of living history. Prost!
