Glühwein — German Mulled Wine / Munich & Nuremburg
There is one drink during the Christmas season that Germans (and Austrians) treasure: Glühwein. A hot and spiced mulled wine is a great beverage to offer your guests. It will surely warm their insides when the weather is cold outside.
During December there are mulled wine stands everywhere at the famous German Christmas markets, known as ‘Christkindlmärkte’. Thousands of gluhwein fans cuddle up together in the cold, sipping on glühwein that is served in a festive mug specifically designed for each different year.
Wow, after only a few sips of this hot brew of spices, sugar, citrus, wine, and booze, I guarantee you that you will feel no cold whatsoever.
red wine simmers with fresh fruit and spices when preparing Glühwein
Glühwein stands abound in German and Austrian Christkindelmarkets
some of the stands look like gingerbread houses straight out of a story book!
Glühwein stands are literally everywhere so anyone can refill their cup anywhere
thousands of people crowded around Christmas stands to purchase and sip on hot Glühwein at Germany’s Christkindl markets.
people really get into the spirit of Christmas at the markets and have a lot of good fun!
crowds everywhere enjoying mugs of warm Glühwein while nibbling on traditional Christmas foods
huge copper cauldrons of simmering Glühwein at this stand — how gorgeous are those?
a vendor scooping out a fresh serving of hot Glühwein from one of the copper cauldrons
each ‘Christkindlesmarkt’ has a different mug, which also changes every year too. This mug is from the famous Nuremburg market
Here is a recipe for Gluwein, the classic German (and Austrian) Hot Mulled Wine
Glühwein — German Mulled Wine
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Ingredients
- 2 medium lemons
- 2 medium oranges
- 10 whole cloves
- 5 cardamom pods
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 2 (750-milliliter) bottles dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Beaujolais Nouveau
- 1/2 cup brandy
- Cheesecloth
- Butcher’s twine
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the lemons and oranges in wide strips, avoiding the white pith; place the zest in a large saucepan.
- Juice the lemons and oranges and add the juice to the pan.
- Place the cloves and cardamom in a small piece of cheesecloth, tie it tightly with butcher’s twine, and add the bundle to the saucepan.
- Add the sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks, place the pan over high heat, and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about one-third, about 20 minutes.
- Add the red wine and brandy, stir to combine, and bring just to a simmer (don’t let it boil).
- Remove from the heat and remove and discard the spice bundle before serving.
- Keep mulled wine warm in a slow cooker and let guests help themselves.
While in Germany, you can even purchase Glühwein to bring home!
the huge size and scope of the Nuremberg ‘Christkindlemarkt’ is far too large for just one photo!
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You take me back to when I first drank gluhwein on the ski slopes in Austria and Switzerland. Oh how I wish I could be there now, drinking of glass and schussing down the slopes.
etched glass decanter
Great market, have been to it in Germany and visit Christkindlmarket in Chicago every Christmas. Love your mulled drink, we make Glögg, about the same!
Thanks Pam! I’m glad to hear that you too had a great experience at the German Christkinklmarket! You are SO LUCKY to have one take place in Chicago!
Merry Christmas!
Roz
Beautiful photos, Roz. You take me back to when I first drank gluhwein on the ski slopes in Austria and Switzerland. Oh how I wish I could be there now, drinking of glass and schussing down the slopes.
Wow, skiing in Austria and Switzerland! That’s fantastic — and sipping gluhwein probably added to the fun, Linda!
Buon Natale!
Roz
All those photos are so GERMAN and festive! We don’t drink alcohol, but I do love the warming winter holiday spices in the air when I visit X’mas markets.
Happy Sunday!
Angie,
I think that you could create something very similar to this without the alcohol. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season!
Roz