Glühwein

Recipe by: Bertrand Hustle Uploaded by Drimble Wedge

Glühwein is a traditional German mulled wine, often sold at a Weihnachtsmarkt, a Christmas market, which is an outdoor market that can be found in any German town around Christmastime. The recipe varies from region to region, even from family to family. Roter Glühwein is made with red wine and is more widespread than varieties made with white wine or Apfelwein (German apple wine), but the type of wine you use is a question of preference. The key ingredients are wine, sugar, orange, lemon, cinnamon, cloves, and anise.

Here's a basic recipe, translated from a German one I found.

• 750mL wine (the red wine that is traditionally used in Germany for roter Glühwein is a Côtes-du-Rhône wine, typically a Syrah/Shiraz)
• 250mL water
• A few whole cloves
• 2-3 small cinnamon sticks
• 2 pc. star anise
• Pesticide-free lemon, cut into slices
• 1/2 pesticide-free orange, cut into slices
• 3 Tbsp. sugar

Your citrus fruits must not have been sprayed with any kind of crap you don't want to drink, because every part of the fruit is going to be cooking in the beverage.

Stir wine and water together in a pot, add spices, and heat slowly. Do not allow it to come to a boil. Add your fruit slices to the pot and simmer for about an hour. You can either scoop the spices out with a strainer or strain the entire thing, but it's fine to leave the fruit slices in the wine. Serve. If you like, you can add a shot of your favorite rum or cognac and have your Glühwein mit Schuss (with a shot).

EDIT: Note that you should taste it periodically as it simmers, and remove the spices when the flavor is intense enough for you. It will not necessarily take a whole hour for everyone.

EDIT EDIT: Optional, but delicious ingredients: whole allspice, coriander, or cardamom. Also raisins.