Does anything else multi-task during the holidays like mulled wine? It makes the house smell amazing. It warms the body and soul on chilly days. It tastes amazing and, maybe best of all, it is so easy to make.
Whatever you call it (glühwein, mulled wine, glogg, or glögi), the basic recipe is the same: a delicious red wine, warmed to perfection and seasoned with enough spice to make a gingerbread man jealous.
To me, mulled wine will always be glühwein. It will forever conjure images of Munich at Christmastime and roaming the Christkindlmarkt with my now husband, Splash Wines Chief Marketing Officer Garrett Imeson, with a steaming hot mug of red wine yumminess. If you ever get the opportunity to head to Germany at Christmastime, grab your passport and GO! It is literally a fairytale wrapped in twinkle lights tied up with a fancy bow.
750mL bottle of dry, red wine like our Encostas do Coa Tinto Red 2014. We have worked for many seasons to recreate the experience at home. Here is our favorite recipe:
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds (I usually slice up 2; some for the pot, some to decorate mugs)
- 7 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks (extra if you want to add one to each much)
- 1 star anise
- 4 tbsp honey (a little more or less depending on preference)
- Amaretto (or rum or brandy, but my fav is Amaretto)
Add all the ingredients (except Amaretto) to a large pot. Bring to a low simmer for about 20 minutes. Never let it boil. Use a ladle to pour into mugs. I like to add about half a shot of Amaretto to each mug (more if you are feeling saucy). Top with extra orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Drink and enjoy… remember warm wine goes straight to the head, so take it slow.
Cheers!
Bailey Imeson, Splash Wines Marketing and Graphics