Paraben Free Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Warm, spiced, and deeply aromatic, this classic German mulled wine is the kind of drink that turns a cold evening into something genuinely festive. Whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and crushed cardamom pods steep slowly in red wine and a splash of brandy, building layers of flavor that no store-bought mix can replicate. Because every ingredient here is a recognizable whole food — fresh citrus, whole spices, wine, and sugar — you sidestep the synthetic preservatives and chemical additives that show up in so many packaged holiday drinks. The low-and-slow warming method keeps the alcohol intact and the spices from turning bitter, so patience really does pay off. A squeeze of orange and lemon rounds out the richness and adds a bright, natural citrus note that feels both classic and fresh. Adjust the sugar to your liking as it simmers, and finish by straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve for a beautifully clear, jewel-toned cup. Ladle it into mugs, tuck in a cinnamon stick, and let the smell do the rest of the work.
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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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