Gluehwein / Gluhwein

Kree's Note:

This is a traditional German/Austrian holiday drink that is often enjoyed after a chilly day of skiing. I got this recipe from Else on Allrecipes.com and can't wait to try it. I modified it slightly based on its reviews.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3/4 cup water (or orange juice)
• 3/4 cup white sugar (or less to taste)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 orange
• 10 whole cloves
• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer.
2. Cut the orange in half, and squeeze the juice into the simmering water. Push the cloves into the outside of the orange peel, and place peel in the simmering water. Continue simmering for 30 minutes, until thick and syrupy.
3. Pour in the wine, and heat until steaming but not simmering. Remove the clove-studded orange halves.
4. Serve hot in mugs or glasses that have been preheated in warm water (cold glasses will break.).

Reviews

[Tarheel]

As you look at other gluhwein recipes, I think you will see a key difference. This recipe appropriately adds the wine at the end and only until warmed, thereby maintaining the alcohol content of the wine. Fantastic recipe. I made some prior to Thanksgiving dinner prep and put it into a good coffee carafe... Enjoyed it for the subsequent 4 hours. Thanks for posting!

[Chef #737935]

Made this for my Austrian In-laws during the holiday and it was a hit! THANKS!

[Chef #1276207]

Excellent, and easy recipe! Much better than the ready-mixed bottles that I was used to, especially if you use a half decent bottle of wine. A success with wintery dinner and friends!