Lupin Free Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Few drinks capture the warmth of a cold evening quite like a steaming mug of spiced red wine, fragrant with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and cardamom. The citrus rounds from both orange and lemon slowly release their oils into the wine as it warms, giving every sip a bright, aromatic lift that balances beautifully against the deep, jammy base of a Merlot or Pinot Noir. A splash of brandy or dark rum rounds everything out and adds just enough richness to make this feel genuinely festive. The whole process is wonderfully low-effort — you're essentially just combining everything in a saucepan and letting gentle heat do the work, being careful never to let it boil so the alcohol and delicate spice notes stay intact. For anyone navigating ingredient sensitivities, this recipe is refreshingly straightforward: every component is a whole, recognizable ingredient with no hidden fillers or flour-based additives to worry about. Adjust the sugar to your taste as it simmers, then strain into mugs and garnish with a fresh orange slice or cinnamon stick for a presentation that looks far more impressive than the effort required.
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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.
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