Glühwein to warm up your guests this Winter.

Glühwein, or mulled wine as it is also know, is a spicy, red wine drink I got to know when I lived in London.  I adore spices and red wine, so no surprises that I just adored the taste of it.  But what I loved most about it, is how it really warms you up from the inside.  I was always grateful when we arrived at someone's home for dinner and we were welcomed with a warm cup of mulled wine.

It is cheap, easy to make and a quick way to warm up your guests when they arrive in from the cold. So this Winter, spoil yourself or friends with this yummy drink that tastes of holidays and foreign places. Enjoy!

Glühwein Recipe

​(Serves 4)

1 Bottle of Red Wine (I used Woolworth's Juice Red)

1 Orange

2 Cinnamon Sticks

8 Cloves

6 Star Anise

4 Cardomom Pods (slightly crushed) 

3 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar (or substiture with 2 Tablespoons of Xylitol) 

The secret is to never let the wine boil.  Pour the bottle of wine into a pot.  Warm up gently.  Add the juice of half the orange, and slice the other half into 4 slices. Add them into the wine, along with all the spices.  Gently simmer for 15 minutes.

Keep warm until your guests arrive.

Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange from the pot before serving.

Because I prefer the wine to be very spicy, I usually make mine an hour to two hours ahead of the time so that the spices can really steep well.  Warm up again just before guests arrive. 

I served mine in these lovely Geometric Tumblers available from Mr_Price_Home.

Photography

Thank you to the lovely Marethe.com for the images.