Gluehwein

Glühwein is a traditional Central European hot spiced wine, most closely associated with German and Austrian Christmas markets. It is made by gently heating red wine with spices including cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and orange or lemon slices, then sweetening with sugar or honey. It is traditionally served piping hot in ceramic mugs or handled glasses.

Glühwein and mulled wine are essentially the same concept — heated, spiced wine — but differ slightly by tradition and regional variation. Glühwein is the German term and tends to emphasize cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, while mulled wine is the English term and may include additional spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger. Some Glühwein recipes add a splash of rum or schnapps for extra warmth, which is less common in British mulled wine.

A medium-bodied, fruity red wine is ideal for Glühwein — Dornfelder, Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Zweigelt work particularly well. The wine should have enough fruit and body to stand up to the spices and sweetener without being overly tannic or acidic. Avoid premium or complex wines, as the heating process will diminish their subtleties — save those for drinking cold and use an everyday bottle for Glühwein.