Celery Free Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Warm, spiced, and deeply aromatic, this mulled wine is the kind of drink that turns a cold evening into something genuinely festive. Red wine simmers low and slow with cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves, and fresh citrus rounds until every sip is layered with cozy, complex flavor. A splash of brandy or dark rum adds a little backbone, and a touch of sugar lets you dial in the sweetness exactly to your liking. The whole lineup of ingredients is naturally free from celery in any form — no hidden vegetable extracts, no spice blends with mystery fillers, just whole spices and real fruit doing all the work. The key technique here is keeping the heat gentle so the wine never boils, which preserves that smooth, velvety character instead of cooking off the good stuff. Strained into a mug and garnished with a fresh orange slice or a cinnamon stick, it looks as beautiful as it tastes. This is the kind of recipe you'll want to make on repeat from the first cold snap straight through to New Year's.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (such as merlot, pinot noir, or dornfelder)
- ¼ cup brandy or dark rum
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar, plus more to taste
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- 6 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole star anise
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- ¼ tsp whole black peppercorns (optional)
For serving
- orange slices or cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the red wine, brandy, sugar, orange rounds, lemon rounds, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cardamom pods in a medium saucepan. Add the peppercorns, if using.
- 2
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar, until steam rises steadily and small bubbles appear around the edges — about 10 minutes. Do not let the wine boil; reduce the heat to low as soon as it approaches a simmer.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!