Traditional Bavarian Gluhwein Recipe:

YIELD: 8 Cups

PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 40 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
  • 3.5 Cups Red Wine (see notes below)
  • 1 3/4 Cups Port Wine
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • Peel from 2 Oranges
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 10 Cardamon Pods
  • 10 Cloves
  • 1 Cup Brandy or Cognac

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Combine the wine and port with the sugar over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  2. Put the orange peel and spices in a cheesecloth bag and add to the warmed wine (see notes below)
  3. Simmer the spices and wine mixture for 20 minutes *DO not let it boil!
  4. Add brandy or preferred liquor and barely simmer for 5 minutes
  5. Remove the spices with a strainer or remove the spice bag
  6. Keep Glühwein warm for continued serving
NOTES:
  • I suggest a German or an Austrian red wine such as a Spåtburgunder, Zweigelt, or Blaufrankisch, but if you can’t find either of those, a Cabernet Franc, Beaujoulais, and pinot noir work as well.
  • Do not let your Gluehwein come to a boil at any time
  • This recipe for Gluhwein can also be made in a slow cooker

Frohe Weihnachten!