Traditional German Glühwein (Mulled Wine) Recipe

Feeling nostalgic for German Christmas markets this holiday season? This delicious traditional glühwein (mulled wine) recipe will transport you there in just 25 minutes!

After spending multiple holiday seasons in Europe, hopping from one Christmas market to the next, I’ve been convinced of one simple fact: Christmas is infinitely more festive and cozy while sipping on glühwein!

So now, whenever I spend Christmas at home in the United States, I love to make traditional German glühwein (mulled wine) to share with my loved ones. It’s quick and easy to make, warming, and so delicious. Plus, it makes the house smell amazing!

Ready to make your own mulled wine at home? Find my recipe below – plus some must-know tips and tricks for making the perfect pot of glühwein!

What is German Glühwein?

Glühwein is a traditional German alcoholic beverage that tastes just like Christmas. (Mulled wine is enjoyed across Europe – like at the Prague Christmas market – but the names and recipes for it vary.)

Basically, glühwein is a holiday hug in a mug – in the form of mulled red wine, infused with the festive flavors of cloves, cinnamon, star anis, and citrus. (And brandy, too, if you’re feeling bold and boozey!) It’s served piping hot, and it’s everything you need during the holidays.

What’s Glühwein Made Of?

Typically, glühwein contains:

• dry red wine;
• white sugar (other sweeteners like brown sugar and maple syrup also work);
• fresh citrus (usually orange slices and orange peels); and
• warming spices (like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and whole star anise)

Plus, brandy is an optional add-on if you want an extra kick of boozy oomph!

I also love adding lemon slices to my glühwein, as the acid lemon juice helps cut the sweetness!

Which Wine is Best for Glühwein?

To make mulled wine, you need dry wine; generally, pinot noir, merlot, Chianti, or cabernet sauvignon work well.

You don’t want to use sweet wine, since this recipe calls for sugar! When you start with a drier wine, you can easily control how sweet your mulled wine is to suit your taste.

If you use cheap wine, it’ll ruin your glühwein! You also don’t want to use a very high-quality/super expensive bottle. Somewhere in the $15 range should do it!

Personally, I only purchase organic, natural wine with no added sulfites. (You can easily find natural wine at Whole Foods!)

How do You Make Mulled Wine?

Making my traditional mulled wine recipe couldn’t be easier! Essentially, you just add everything into the pot and simmer it gently until the spices have infused into the wine and the sugar has dissolved completely!

The trick is to ensure you don’t boil the wine, since that would cook out the alcohol! (And we certainly wouldn’t want that!)

If you’re serving homemade mulled wine at a party, you might want to make it in a crockpot and then leave it on “warm” so guests can serve themselves whenever they like!

My Traditional German Glühwein Recipe

This easy, traditional German glühwein recipe is perfect for holiday parties, or simply sitting by the fireplace.

If you have 25 minutes to spare, and some typical pantry ingredients, you’ll be sipping on your own hot, spiced wine in no time.

Let’s make it!

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Have you visited Christmas markets in Germany before? Have you tried glühwein yet? Rate the recipe below and let us know how it goes!