Mulled Wine {Gluhwein}

This warm spiced wine is the perfect drink for a cold winter day. Directions include making mulled wine in a crockpot or stovetop, plus recommendations for an alcohol-free and Paleo version.

My husband's mom and grandmother, Oma, are from Germany, and for years, we've talked about visiting the area they're from. Last year while looking at flights to different places (my favorite hobby per 2020), I found a great deal on a flight to Germany for Christmas. I couldn't pass up a good flight deal, so we invited Huck's mom, and the three of us spent a week drinking Gluhwein in the cutest little German cities! We definitely had a Christmas hangover by the end of that trip! God, I miss traveling!! That trip inspires today's recipe.

What is Mulled Wine {Gluhwein}

Gluhwein or mulled wine is a spiced wine that is served warm. It can have cinnamon, star anise, clove, and even a shot of liquor! It is perfect for sipping on a cold night while walking around the Christmas markets or while curled up inside in front of the fire (I can't do either of those in Florida, but I can always turn the air down low and pull up the fireplace on Netflix). 

How to Make Mulled Wine

To start, you'll need wine. See the notes below for choosing a wine for this drink. Next, you'll need some spices and flavor. These can include:

• Whole Clove
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Star Anise
• Cardamom
• Orange Slices
• Vanilla
• Sugar {Cane, Honey, Coconut, or Maple Syrup}
• Brandy or Bourbon - Completely optional, but I like the added kick!

It's best to use whole spices vs. ground for this recipe. Most grocery stores carry whole spices, and if you can't find a specific spice, you can always leave it out. If you're not a fan of one of the spices, you can leave it out as well.

Tip - Dried spices start to lose flavor over time, so a container of cinnamon sticks from last Christmas will have less flavor than a container of newly purchased ones. If you're using older spices, the flavor could be less pronounced.

To start, gather all your ingredients and a large pot with high sides. Combine all the ingredients in the pot and heat on the stove over medium-low heat. Allow the mixture to simmer for 25 minutes. Do not boil the wine as it could burn or become bitter.

Once ready to serve, add in the sugar and stir to dissolve fully. Next, strain the wine to remove the spices and orange slices. Pour the warm wine into a heat-proof mug and serve with extra fresh cinnamon sticks and orange slices if desired. If serving with bourbon or brandy, add the liquor to the mug first and pour on the wine. Stir to combine and enjoy!

Tip - You can reduce the heat to low and leave it on the stove for a few hours if you're not serving the mulled wine right away. I recommend removing the orange slices if the wine will sit for a while as they can cause the wine to become bitter.

How to Make Mulled Wine in the Crockpot

For a crockpot version of this recipe, place all the ingredients in the crockpot on low heat and cook for 1 hour. After an hour, add the sugar, set the crockpot to warm, and enjoy as you like. The wine can be left on warm for several hours.

To serve from the crockpot, strain the wine and return the liquid to the crockpot. This is a great option to keep the wine warm and allows everyone to refill their glass as they like.

If you do not have a crockpot, the slow cooker and warm setting on the Instant Pot could work but I have not tested this method. As long as the wine does not boil, it should be fine.

Best Wine for Mulled Wine

When choosing a wine, use an inexpensive brand you'd like to drink from a glass - no need for an expensive bottle for this recipe.

Red wines pair great with the strong flavors, but a dry white wine is great too. At the Christmas markets in Germany, most booths offered both a white and red Gluhwein. Pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon are good dry red wines, and pinot grigio and chardonnay are good dry white options.

Paleo or Non-Alcoholic Variations

For a Paleo mulled wine or a non-alcoholic version of this drink, you can substitute the wine with grape or cranberry juice or apple cider. Replace the wine with equal parts of your fruit juice of choice. If using fruit juice, taste before adding additional sweeteners to ensure the drink is not too sweet.

I made this recipe with apple cider and a shot of bourbon! So good! It was a lot like my Cinnamon Old Fashioned.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Leftover mulled wine can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Remove the spices and orange slices before storage as these can cause the wine to become bitter. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warm.

Other Recipes to Try

Looking for more drink ideas? Try our Cranberry and Bourbon Cocktail, Cinnamon Old Fashioned, or Spicy Bloody Mary with Jalapeno Infused Vodka.

The Story Behind the Mugs

Every Christmas market in Germany has its own special mugs. When you purchase a gluhwein, you pay a small deposit for the glass. You can get your deposit back when you return the mug, or you keep it as a cheap souvenir. We came home with lots of souvenir mugs!

The mugs in this post are from my two favorite markets. My husband's family is from Wiesbaden, and it had my favorite market we visited on the trip. The market felt more local and less touristy. Plus, I had the most amazing potato soup! It was so good - I still think about it!

The other mug is from Rothenburg ob der Tauber! The town was so pretty, and the market was quaint. We had dinner at a restaurant that dates back to 900AD and enjoyed walking through the cobblestone streets at night! We also visited markets in Nuremberg and Heidelberg. Both markets and towns were great. Again, I miss traveling!!

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