EuropeFood

Easy Glühwein Recipe: Bring the Christmas Market feeling home

When I think about Christmas, my mind drifts to cozy fireplaces, flickering candles, twinkling lights on a beautifully decorated tree, a soft blanket wrapped around me, and the festive cheer of Christmas markets. Oh, and how can I forget that steaming mug of hot Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) warming my hands?

It’s a cherished tradition: meeting up with friends at the Christmas market, wandering past twinkling stalls, and clutching a mug filled with this aromatic, spiced delight. There’s something magical about it—it’s like drinking Christmas itself.
Sure, you can find pre-made Glühwein in some stores. But let’s be honest, it just doesn’t have that same soul. Homemade Glühwein? That’s where the magic happens.

I’m here to share my favorite Glühwein recipe, passed down from my brother and sister-in-law, who brought a touch of this European tradition to sunny Mexico. They opened a small, seasonal Glühwein factory in their kitchen to share this heartwarming drink with everyone in their community. And trust me, their recipe is pure Christmas in a cup.

What You’ll Need for 1.5 Liters of Glühwein

Here’s what you’ll need to create this magical drink:

  • 1.5 liters of red wine (Choose something mid range, not an exencive one)
  • 15 cloves
  • 3 oranges (Preferably organic, as we’ll be cooking the peel.)
  • 1 lemon (Also organic, for the same reason.)
  • 3 anise stars
  • 200g sugar (I love using panela, common in Latin America, or brown sugar for its rich flavor, but regular sugar works too.)
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Let’s Get Cooking

  1. Grab a big pot. It needs to be deep enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably.
  2. Prepare your citrus fruits. Peel the oranges and lemon, then squeeze their juice directly into the pot. Toss the squeezed fruits and peels into the pot as well—they add a ton of flavor.
  3. Add the spices and sugar. Toss in the cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg, anis stars, cardamom, and sugar.
  4. Make a syrup. Heat everything over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture forms a fragrant, thick syrup.
  5. Turn down the heat. Lower the flame to its lowest setting—you don’t want to cook the wine, just warm it.
  6. Add the wine. Slowly pour in the red wine, stirring gently. Let it mingle with the syrup for about 5 minutes. Remember, do not let it boil! Boiling will cook off the alcohol, and we want to keep the spirit (pun intended) of Glühwein intact.

Time to Enjoy

Now, grab your favorite Christmas mug (bonus points if it’s festive!), strain the Glühwein as you pour it in, and enjoy a sip of this warm, spiced hug in a cup.

You can also pre prepare a badge strain it a bottle and heat it up before serving.

A Christmas Toast

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. It’s more than a drink—it’s a little tradition that brings people together, warms hearts, and fills the air with the scents of the season.

Wishing you a merry Christmas filled with laughter, love, and maybe a mug (or two) of homemade Glühwein!

Cheers to the season!