Pork Free Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Warm, spiced, and deeply aromatic, this classic German mulled wine is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Dry red wine is gently heated with brandy, fresh citrus rounds, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and cardamom until every sip tastes like a holiday market in a mug. The whole process is naturally free of any pork-derived ingredients — no gelatin, no hidden additives, just wine, spirits, spices, and a little sugar. One important note: some wines are fined using animal-derived agents, so if that matters to you, look for a bottle labeled vegan-friendly to be safe. The key technique here is patience — keeping the heat low and never letting the wine boil preserves all that beautiful depth and prevents the alcohol from cooking off too quickly. A final strain through a fine-mesh sieve leaves you with a silky, jewel-toned drink that looks as stunning as it tastes. Ladle it into mugs, tuck in a cinnamon stick, and let the compliments roll in.
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!