• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
We Eat At Last
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • World Cuisine
  • African dishes
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • World Cuisine
  • Subscribe

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • World Cuisine
  • Subscribe

×
Home » World Cuisine

Glühwein - German Mulled Wine

Dated: December 14, 2023 . Modified: Dec 14, 2023 by Kate Hahnel

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Aromatic spices and delicious blueberries infuse this cozy, easy, and flavorful German mulled wine (Glühwein) recipe!

Two cups of Glühwein, garnished with cinnamon and orange slices.

*This post may contain affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

The name "Glühwein" is derived from German, where "Glüh-" means "glow" and "-Wein" means "wine." The term "glow" here refers to the hot irons once used for mulling (heating and spicing) the wine.

Drinking mulled wine at Christmas markets and during the holiday season is a cherished tradition in Germany and nearby countries like Sweden, Austria, and France. Each region often has its unique take on the recipe, typically through the addition or omission of certain ingredients.

There are many versions of Glühwein out there, and this particular version includes blueberries, which lend a unique sweetness and extra fruity notes to the drink.

ingredients you will need

  • red wine - go for fruity red wine types, with a moderate amount of tannin. Varieties such as Merlot, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon are all great options. It doesn't have to be expensive, just decent enough for you to drink.
  • frozen blueberries.
  • brown sugar - adds sweetness and helps cut down the acidity from the wine.
  • oranges - other types of citrus fruits such as lemons or tangerines, can also be used. Just don't go for limes as these tend to be too acidic.
  • spices - cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, cloves.
  • brandy, amaretto or schnapps.
Ingredients needed to make this recipe

how to make it

  1. Wash the oranges thoroughly in hot water, squeeze out the juice and reserve the leftover orange pieces.
  2. Add frozen blueberries and the squeezed orange juice to a pot. Stir to combine, warm under low heat until thawed, then process using a hand blender.
  3. Add the reserved orange pieces, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. With the heat still set on low, cover, and warm for 25-30 minutes, stirring from time to time. Cook longer for a more intense flavor, but do not let it boil.
  5. Add the alcohol, sieve, pour into glasses, garnish and serve warm.

Related recipes: For more delicious drink recipes, make our Lumumba drink, Pink gin spritz, and blueberry bliss smoothie, next!

quick tips

  • Washing the oranges in hot water helps remove wax, normally coated on oranges to extend their shelf life. It also enhances their aroma.
  • For a more intensive flavor, cook the Glühwein under low heat for 50-60 minutes.
  • Keep the Glühwein from boiling as this might make some of the alcohol evaporate. A temperature of between 72°C and 75°C is ideal.
  • Serve it in heat-proof containers, and stay away from utensils made of tin, brass, copper, or aluminum. These materials can react with the wine and possibly leave harmful substances in the Glühwein.
  • Adjust the amount of spice or sugar to suit your taste. The sugar can also be substituted for honey and the frozen blueberries substituted for fresh ones.

storage

Glühwein tastes best served immediately but should you have leftovers, transfer this to airtight containers and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. To use, reheat under low heat until warmed up; do not let it boil.

An overhead picture of Glühwein, orange slices, and some cinnamon.

more German recipes

  • Kalter Hund - German no-bake biscuit cake
  • German Savoy Cabbage - Wirsing.
  • German Celery Root Salad
  • Bohnensalat - Green bean salad with cream.
  • Eiersalat - Egg salad with apple.
  • German French Toast.

Enjoy making this recipe! Be sure to give it a review ⭐ below!

Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Tiktok and subscribe to our YouTube channel and Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

📖 Recipe

Two cups of German mulled wine (Glühwein).

Glühwein - German Mulled Wine

Kate Hahnel
Aromatic spices and delicious blueberries infuse this cozy, and flavorful German Glühwein (mulled wine) recipe!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine German
Servings 4
Calories 296 kcal

Equipment

hand blender
mugs
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup frozen blueberries
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 bottle red wine (750ml or about 25 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 pieces star anise
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • ¼ cup brandy dark rum or schnapps

Garnish

  • 4 slices of orange
  • 4 cinnamon sticks or star anise

Instructions
 

  • Wash the oranges thoroughly in hot water, squeeze out the juice and reserve the leftover orange pieces.
  • Add frozen blueberries and the squeezed-out orange juice to a pot. Stir to combine, warm under low heat until thawed, then process using a hand blender.
    Pureed blueberries in a pot.
  • Add the reserved orange pieces, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and nutmeg. With the heat still set on low, cover, and warm for 25-30 minutes, stirring from time to time (see notes). Do not let it boil.
    German mulled wine simmering under low heat in a pot.
  • Add the brandy, sieve, pour into glasses, garnish and serve warm.

Notes

  • For a more intensive flavor, cook the Glühwein under low heat for 50-60 minutes.
  • Washing the oranges in hot water helps remove wax, normally coated on oranges to extend their shelf life. It also enhances their aroma.
  • Keep the Glühwein from boiling as this might make some of the alcohol evaporate. A temperature of between 72°C and 75°C is ideal.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste; fresh blueberries can be used in place of the frozen ones.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 9mgPotassium: 404mgFiber: 5gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.Pin this recipe on Pinterest or tag me out on socials @weeatatlast. I love seeing your creations.

More World Cuisine

  • Chicken and orzo in a casserole dish with peas.
    Orzo Chicken Bake
  • A square zoomed in image of orzo salad with feta, cucumber and peas in a bowl.
    Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
  • Hummus topped with balsamic onions in a small bowl.
    Balsamic Onion Hummus
  • A bowl of minestrone soup.
    Soup Maker Minestrone Soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jane

    July 05, 2024 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    I love this Glühwein - German Mulled Wine. So easy to make but so flavorful!

    Reply
  2. Libby

    June 30, 2024 at 5:48 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! The flavors are so rich and delicious.

    Reply
  3. Marsali

    June 30, 2024 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    perfect for our girls trip, thanks!

    Reply
  4. Ashley

    June 29, 2024 at 7:55 pm

    5 stars
    Our guests loved this recipe, will make again!!

    Reply
  5. Julianna E

    June 18, 2024 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Can't believe how easy and delicious this mulled wine was. Definitely making it again.

    Reply
5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

A picture of Kate Hahnel, owner of the website We Eat At Last

Hi, I'm Kate! Join me in discovering how to effortlessly prepare easy, simple and tasty meals at home.

About Me

Readers Picks

  • Air fryer chicken breast using the Ninja foodi.
    Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Sliced oatmeal banana bread on a plate.
    Cottage Cheese Oatmeal Banana Bread
  • Lemon and walnut oil salad dressing.
    Lemon Walnut Oil Salad Dressing
  • A bowl of air fryer carrots.
    Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots

Spring Recipes

  • Air fryer asparagus on a plate.
    Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Two bowls of spicy carrot and coriander soup.
    Carrot Coriander Soup
  • A plate of white asparagus with potatoes, and a yogurt dip.
    Air Fryer White Asparagus
  • Jamaican steamed cabbage
    Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe + Video
  • A close-up shot of crispy, golden-brown fried goat cheese slices arranged neatly on a plate.
    Fried Goat Cheese

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Impressum
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates.

Contact

  • About Kate
  • Contact

We Eat At Last is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2025 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.