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GermanAuthentic Cuisine

Glühwein

Serves 4 to 6 Beverage vegetarian, Beverages, Christmas

Glühwein

Glühwein, a staple at Christmas markets across Germany, captures the essence of festive warmth and cheer. This home version, crafted with the precision of a family cook, is a comforting antidote to winter's chill. It's traditionally enjoyed during the holiday season, when the air is crisp and the streets are alive with twinkling lights and the scent of spices.

The taste is a harmonious blend of dry red wine infused with the citrusy notes of orange and lemon peel, underscored by the comforting warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. A touch of sugar balances the flavors, creating a soothing beverage meant to be savored slowly, cup in hand, as the world outside frosts over.

Ingredients

  • 1 Ldry red wine
  • 1orange — sliced
  • 2cinnamon sticks
  • 6cloves
  • 2star anise
  • 60 gsugar
  • 1lemon peel strip

Method

  1. Pour 1 liter of dry red wine into a large saucepan. Choose a saucepan with a heavy bottom to ensure even heat distribution, which will prevent the wine from scorching. Add the peel of 1 orange, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 cloves, 2 star anise, 60 g of sugar, and a strip of lemon peel to the wine. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and warm the mixture. Stir occasionally, ensuring the sugar fully dissolves and the spices are evenly distributed. Be careful not to let the wine come to a boil, as this will cause the alcohol to evaporate and alter the flavor.
  3. Once the wine is warm, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Allow the mixture to steep for about fifteen minutes. During this time, the spices will bloom, infusing the wine with their flavors. You'll notice a fragrant aroma filling the kitchen, a sign that the spices are releasing their essential oils.
  4. After steeping, taste the Glühwein. If you find it needs more sweetness, add a little more sugar, stirring until it dissolves completely. Adjust to your preference, keeping in mind that the flavors will continue to develop as the Glühwein sits.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Use a ladle to carefully pour the Glühwein into mugs, ensuring each serving includes some of the spices for added aroma and presentation. Serve the Glühwein steaming hot, perfect for warming up on a cold winter's evening.
Cover of Authentic German Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic German Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic German Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the German volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

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