White Glühwein Recipe- A lighter Citrussy Glühwein (2024)

FAQs

Should Glühwein be served warm or cold? ›

As we point out in the below directions, Glühwein is served hot and should be sipped slowly just as you would with a fresh cup of coffee. Of course, you do not have to splurge on crystal glassware to sip Gluhwein. A regular mug is a fine alternative.

The word “Glühwein” roughly translates to “glow wine.” A traditional Glühwein typically includes a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise. This German mulled wine also features citrus, vanilla, and sugar.

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste.

Then turn down the heat and let barely simmer for at least 20 minutes and up to 3 hours. If you want to make it ahead of time, let it cool to room temperature then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rewarm in a pot over medium low heat.

Then let the mulled wine cool at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge — it will keep well there for up to three days.

Simmer. Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer. (Avoid letting it bubble — you don't want to boil off the alcohol.) Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.

Since the mugs are mass-produced and not especially made by artists, they have no real value. This, however, doesn't stop some tourists from trying to collect a whole set, something that is totally baffling to Germans, who instead return the mugs to the Glühwein stands to get their pfand (deposit) back.

Different versions of mulled wine in different countries

In Scandinavian countries this drink is known as gløgg and it often includes aquavit, cardamom (if you use the black kind it gives a lovely smoky taste) and dried fruit. The German version is glühwein (or 'glowing' wine) and that includes schnapps.

Sorry to spoil the party, but here's the real deal: Simply heating alcohol, or any other cooking liquid, does not make it evaporate as quickly as a child's allowance in a candy store. The longer you cook, the more alcohol cooks out, but you have to cook food for about 3 hours to fully erase all traces of alcohol.

If mulled wine has gone bad, the first sign would be a sour smell, resembling vinegar. Secondly, the taste would also be noticeably sour or tart, different from its original sweet and spicy taste. A change in colour might be a sign as well. If you spot any mold, it's definitely time to discard it.

What happens if you boil Glühwein? ›

The most important part: never let glühwein boil. This cooks off the alcohol, which isn't the goal. You can leave it heating on the stove for a few hours if you want, but the heat must be low enough to not bubble.

Aeration: Aerating wine by swirling it in a glass or using a decanter can help reduce its bitterness and bring out its other flavors. Proper storage: Storing wine in a cool, dark place can help preserve its flavor and prevent spoilage, which can also contribute to bitterness.

Zinfandels, Merlots, Syrah/Shiraz, or Garnache tend to work best. Avoid red wines high in tannins or have an oaky flavor, and avoid light reds. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to have a full-bodied, fruity flavor, can work in a pinch, as can Malbec, which tends to have a bold, spicy flavor.

Better still, gluhwein can be reheated and consumed the following day, should the urge to hibernate outweigh one last pour. And while there may exist a top-shelf gluhwein in some distant land, it is the bottom shelf bottle that truly shines in this capacity.

However depressing of a situation that might seem, home winemakers the world over are still able to make some extremely age-worthy wines that will still be worth drinking in 10 years. It's just a question of building quality and stability into every stage of production that the wine goes through.

Most do enjoy this festive drink as a winter warmer, but drinking it chilled is always an option too if that's your preference. Or you can even use your mulled wine to make a mulled wine co*cktail … which is said to be a great party drink (here's a simple recipe for a mulled wine co*cktail from BBC Good Food).

But what if you're looking for a bit more refreshment and you want to enjoy this drink cold instead? Is it not going to taste as good as it does when warm? The answer is that you can absolutely serve mulled wine chilled, and there are quite a few recipes out there for cold versions of this iconic sipper.

The best way to enjoy is to serve warm (don't boil), in a mug, and with friends.

Glühwein pairs wonderfully with a variety of winter treats. Consider enjoying it alongside gingerbread cookies, roasted chestnuts, or a slice of fruitcake for a truly indulgent experience.