Authentic Gluhwein Recipe from an Austrian Chef - Eat Sleep Breathe Travel (2024)

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I’ve made it no secret about how much I love European Christmas Markets, especially those in Germany and Austria. I have a million reasons why but I’d be lying if I said that the gluhwein wasn’t one of them. Which is funny, because back in 2011, when I first visited European Christmas markets, I didn’t like wine. But gluhwein was different. I loved the spicy sweetness of it. I loved the festive little mugs that it came in. I loved that it was the best go-to for warming up and that nobody judged me for having a mug at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. I loved everything about it. And then I made the mistake of coming home back to freezing cold Canada without a gluhwein recipe.

Epic fail.

Authentic Gluhwein Recipe from an Austrian Chef - Eat Sleep Breathe Travel (1)

As Christmas came around with my family and friends, I craved gluhwein. When the snow storms hit and I have to shovel my door every hour so I didn’t get trapped inside, I craved gluhwein. And when the temperature dropped to -40C and the news forecasts were raving about extreme cold and frostbite warnings, I really craved gluhwein.

Which is why, when I went back for Christmas markets again in 2015, I made sure that I came home with an authentic gluhwein recipe.

What is Gluhwein?

So, what is gluhwein? Essentially, it’s a hot, spiced, red wine drink that has been made very popular during the winter season in Germany and Austria. At every Christmas market, you can find several gluhwein vendors, each serving their own variation of the drink. Some are sweeter, some are drier, some are spicier. You can also have it made with red wine (most common) as well as white and even rose wine. I usually try them from a couple of different vendors then choose the one I like the most and go back. (The mugs are small, ok? Don’t judge me).

What’s the History Behind Gluhwein?

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Gluhwein actually dates back hundreds of years and the name itself, Gluhwein, translates to “glow-wine”. Which, when you think of it, makes perfect sense because once you drink it you definitely feel all warm and toasty or ‘glowy’.

While the drink is typically considered to be German, gluhwein or variants of it are popular across several European countries including not just Germany and Austria but also Scandinavian countries, France, and the Netherlands. The base of the drink, mulled wine, is the same but each country has their own mix of spices that they add to it.

Why do I need a Gluhwein Recipe? Can’t I just Buy it?

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Yes, you can buy gluhwein in Germany and Austria by the bottle. Many of the vendors sell bottles of their own recipe that you can bring home with you. Which is nice, but, there are a few downsides to relying on this method for your gluhwein fix. Firstly, bottles are pretty heavy and you’ll have to check your luggage to get it home. Secondly, even if you do have checked luggage and lots of room, bottles can be quite fragile. The last thing anyone wants is a gluhwein explosion over all your clothes. And, most importantly, it doesn’t last forever. So what do you do when it’s gone? Let’s be honest, buying gluhwein is just prolonging the pain of knowing that you will soon be without it. Which is why you should pay attention to the next section where I share my gluhwen recipe, so you can make some at home too.

The Story Behind my Recipe

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Before I share my magical gluhwein recipe with you, I figure you should have a bit of a backstory. After all, I’m not German or Austrian, so how do you know it’s the real deal.

Well, in December of 2015 I brought my mom to Europe to experience the Christmas markets with me. We decided to take a break from the outdoors and went for high tea at The Ritz Carleton in Vienna (swanky, I know). It was delicious but the best part was the gluhwein (I guess, technically, we went for high gluhwein rather than high tea). At the end of the tea, we waved the server over, who happened to be a nice looking young man, and I shamelessly begged him for the gluhwein recipe.

I like to think he found me charming with my Canadian accent (eh!), but it’s probably more likely that he just wanted me to leave as soon as possible. Either way, it worked because he went into the kitchen came back a short while later with a lovely, thick piece of cardstock with a hand-written recipe for ‘Traditional Austrian Gluhwein’ compliments of the chef.

YESSSSSSSS!

It’s been a few years now since I got that gluhwein recipe and it still holds a place of honour on the side of my fridge. I’ve made it more times than I can count and am already waiting for the snow to fall so I can start up again.

Ready to try it yourself?

Authentic Gluhwein Recipe from an Austrian Chef - Eat Sleep Breathe Travel (5)

Ingredients

  • 2 bottles of red wine (a dry wine is the norm. Nothing expensive or fancy)
  • 2 cups of water
  • 3/4 cup of white granulated sugar
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
  • Peels from 2 oranges

Method

1.Boil the water with the sugar until the sugar is dissolved

2. Reduce the heat until no longer boiling, then add the cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel.

3. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then add the wine. Simmer for a minimum of thirty minutes, or up to a couple of hours. Don’t let it boil- it will boil off the alcohol.

4. Strain and serve.

Authentic Gluhwein Recipe from an Austrian Chef - Eat Sleep Breathe Travel (6)

Serving Your Gluhwein

For the best way to serve this gluhwein, you need proper mugs.

Christmas mugs.

SPECIAL Christmas mugs. After all, I bet that this gluhwein recipe will now be a part of your holiday traditions. It’s a part of mine!

For some cute/fun Christmas mugs, try these snowman mugs or this Santa mug.

Or, if you love National Lampoon, then you totally need these moose mugs.

Enjoy!

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Authentic Gluhwein Recipe from an Austrian Chef - Eat Sleep Breathe Travel (2024)

FAQs

Authentic Gluhwein Recipe from an Austrian Chef - Eat Sleep Breathe Travel? ›

Zinfandels, Merlots, Syrah/Shiraz, or Garnache tend to work best. Avoid red wines high in tannins or have an oaky flavor, and avoid light reds. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to have a full-bodied, fruity flavor, can work in a pinch, as can Malbec, which tends to have a bold, spicy flavor.

What is the best wine for Glühwein? ›

Zinfandels, Merlots, Syrah/Shiraz, or Garnache tend to work best. Avoid red wines high in tannins or have an oaky flavor, and avoid light reds. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to have a full-bodied, fruity flavor, can work in a pinch, as can Malbec, which tends to have a bold, spicy flavor.

Is Glühwein the same as mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine is hot spiced wine. Gluhwein is a German term for exactly the same. However, they might not necessarily taste the same way because there are so many different recipes, spice mixes and wines to choose from.

What is the literal translation of Glühwein? ›

Gluhwein, literally translated as "glow wine", is traditionally served in German speaking countries.

What does Glühwein in German mean? ›

This mulled wine recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

Should Glühwein be served warm or cold? ›

As we point out in the below directions, Glühwein is served hot and should be sipped slowly just as you would with a fresh cup of coffee. Of course, you do not have to splurge on crystal glassware to sip Gluhwein. A regular mug is a fine alternative.

Why is my Glühwein bitter? ›

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste.

What is the difference between glögg and Glühwein? ›

Different versions of mulled wine in different countries

In Scandinavian countries this drink is known as gløgg and it often includes aquavit, cardamom (if you use the black kind it gives a lovely smoky taste) and dried fruit. The German version is glühwein (or 'glowing' wine) and that includes schnapps.

When should I drink Glühwein? ›

It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. It is usually served at Christmas markets in Europe, primarily in Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Nordics, Baltics and eastern France.

Which country invented Glühwein? ›

This warmed wine beverage has been around since at least 1420 in Germany. This is based on the discovery of a Glühwein tankard which is thought to have belonged to Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen. He was a German nobleman and was also the first grower of Riesling grapes.

Why is Glühwein called Glühwein? ›

Fun fact, Glühwein roughly translates to “glow-wine”. This is a term derived from the hot irons that was once used to mull the wine! It is most popular in German-speaking countries and in the Alsace region in France.

What is the alcohol level in Glühwein? ›

Officially speaking, the drink is defined by the spices used in it, namely cloves and / or cinnamon. The base also needs to be either white or red wine and have an alcohol content of at least 7%.

What do you eat with Glühwein? ›

While it's a nice drink to imbibe on its own, it's always more fun to think of pairings. Truthfully, mulled wine pairs well with everything from roast beef or sausage to cheese platters. Miller loves to take comforting, classic meat and potato dishes and throw in Filipino twists.

Does bottled Glühwein go bad? ›

Bottled or freshly made Mulled wine will last 3-5 days after cooking / opening if stored in the fridge. While unopened mulled wine can last for years if stored in the correct conditions.

Is Glühwein good for you? ›

It contains high levels of polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that may assist in lowering inflammation in the body. The red wine base in mulled wine brings its own set of health benefits.

Is Merlot or Cabernet better for mulled wine? ›

Merlot is an ideal choice of wine for making mulled wine. Its bold, juicy fruit flavor has notes of red cherry, plum, and cranberry. Plus, this particular selection is made with fruits from California's central coast at an affordable price.

Is Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon better for mulled wine? ›

As wine forms the base for the mulled wine, you do want to be careful with your selection. A bottle of Levant Shiraz makes the perfect base - we don't recommend Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Cabernet Sauvignon is too high in tannin, and Pinot Noir is too light to carry the spices.

What are the different types of Glühwein? ›

A variation of Glühwein is made with white wine, but it is less popular than its red counterpart. For children, the non-alcoholic Kinderpunsch is offered on Christmas markets, which is a punch with similar spices. Another popular variant of Glühwein in Germany is Feuerzangenbowle.

Is Glühwein red or white wine? ›

The word “Glühwein” roughly translates to “glow wine.” A traditional Glühwein typically includes a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise. This German mulled wine also features citrus, vanilla, and sugar. It is most often made with red wine, although you can use white wine if you prefer.

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