Holiday Glühwein Recipe: Our Family’s German Mulled Wine Tradition

Glühwein is one of my family’s favorite holiday traditions. We make it every Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and often on chilly evenings throughout the season. It’s warm, sweet, full of cozy spices, and something everyone always looks forward to.

We’ve made Glühwein completely from scratch before, but our favorite way to enjoy it is actually much simpler. We buy bottled German Glühwein, dress it up with fresh oranges, cranberries, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, and let it warm in the slow cooker.

Over the years, we’ve made little substitutions depending on what we have in the kitchen. If we don’t have oranges, we’ve used Cuties or even a splash of orange juice. And since we usually make Glühwein around Thanksgiving, we almost always have fresh cranberries on hand to throw in. They make it look so festive!

I’m sharing both our family’s easy method and a homemade version for anyone who wants to make this traditional German holiday drink from scratch.

What Is Glühwein?

Glühwein is a traditional German mulled wine made by gently warming red wine with citrus, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.

It’s especially popular at German Christmas markets, where it’s served hot in festive mugs throughout the holiday season.

The name roughly translates to “glow wine,” which feels especially fitting on a chilly winter evening.

Our Family’s Favorite: Easy Slow Cooker Glühwein

This is the version we make most often, and it couldn’t be easier!

We love Winterliebe Glühwein, a bottled German-style mulled wine we’ve found at Aldi or Lidl during the holiday season. It’s already sweetened and spiced, so all you really need to do is warm it up.

Of course, we like to dress ours up a little!

Ingredients

• 2 bottles (1 liter each) Winterliebe Glühwein, or another prepared bottled Glühwein
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• ½ cup fresh cranberries
• 4–6 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Optional Additions

• 1–2 tablespoons orange liqueur or brandy, to taste
• 1 whole star anise
• A little freshly grated nutmeg
• Additional orange slices or cranberries
• Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Instructions

1. Pour the bottled Glühwein into a slow cooker.
2. Add the orange slices, fresh cranberries, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. You can press the cloves into the orange slices to make them easier to remove later.
3. Cover and heat on LOW until warmed through, checking periodically. Do not allow the wine to boil.
4. Taste and add any optional ingredients you’d like.
5. Switch to WARM if your slow cooker maintains a gentle serving temperature.
6. Ladle into heat-safe mugs, leaving the whole spices behind. Garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, or small sprig of rosemary, and enjoy!

A little tip: If you don’t have fresh oranges, use a few sliced Cuties or a splash of orange juice. We’ve done both!

How to Make Homemade German Glühwein

While we love the convenience of bottled Glühwein, making it from scratch is another wonderful way to enjoy this traditional German Christmas drink.

You don’t need an expensive bottle of wine, either. A reasonably priced, dry red wine works beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1 orange, sliced
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey, to taste
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 whole star anise (optional)
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
• ¼ cup fresh cranberries (optional)
• 1–2 tablespoons orange liqueur or brandy (optional)

Instructions

1. Pour the red wine into a large saucepan.
2. Add the orange slices, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise, if using.
3. Stir in the sugar or honey.
4. Heat gently over low heat until hot and fragrant, without allowing the wine to boil.
5. Let the spices infuse for approximately 20–30 minutes, tasting occasionally.
6. Adjust the sweetness as needed.
7. Stir in the orange liqueur or brandy, if desired.
8. Strain out the whole spices and serve warm with your favorite garnishes.

You can also prepare this recipe in a slow cooker. Just allow additional time for the wine to warm gently.

Our Favorite Glühwein Additions and Substitutions

One of the best things about Glühwein is how easy it is to make your own.

• Oranges or Cuties: Fresh orange slices are our favorite, but we’ve also used Cuties when that’s what we had available.
• Orange juice: A splash of orange juice works when you don’t have fresh oranges.
• Whole cloves: We always add these! They’re an essential part of our family’s Glühwein.
• Cinnamon sticks: They add warmth and make the slow cooker look festive.
• Fresh cranberries: We love adding these, especially around Thanksgiving when we usually have some in the refrigerator.
• Star anise: A beautiful optional addition with a distinctive, slightly licorice-like flavor.
• Fresh nutmeg: A little freshly grated nutmeg adds another layer of warmth.
• Orange liqueur or brandy: A splash can add a little extra richness.
• Fresh rosemary: A sprig of rosemary makes a lovely garnish, especially alongside an orange slice.

Another Holiday Find: Glögg Concentrate

This year, we also came across a bottle of Saturnus Glögg concentrate, a Scandinavian-style spiced holiday drink mix.

Glögg is similar to German Glühwein, although the recipes and traditions vary.

The concentrate is a convenient option if you want to prepare a warm spiced drink without starting completely from scratch.

According to the bottle, you can mix one part concentrate with one part water, red wine, vodka, or rum, depending on your preference. We would lean toward red wine for a drink closer to traditional Glühwein.

Just remember that this is a concentrate, not a ready-to-drink mulled wine like the Winterliebe bottles we usually buy.

It’s another fun option to look for while shopping for holiday ingredients!

Tips for the Best Holiday Glühwein

Don’t Let It Boil

Glühwein is best warmed gently. Boiling can affect the flavor and cause some of the alcohol and aromas to evaporate.

Use Your Slow Cooker

This is our favorite way to serve Glühwein during holiday gatherings. It makes preparation easy and allows everyone to enjoy a warm glass throughout the evening.

Taste Before Adding Sweetener

If you’re using bottled Glühwein, it’s already sweetened and spiced. You probably won’t need to add anything extra.

Make It Festive

Orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise look beautiful in the slow cooker. A little rosemary also makes a pretty garnish for individual mugs.

Serve With Christmas Cookies

Glühwein pairs beautifully with traditional Christmas cookies, especially German Vanillekipferl and homemade gingersnaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Glühwein Without Fresh Oranges?

Yes! We’ve used Cuties and a splash of orange juice before, and both work well.

Can I Make Glühwein in a Crockpot?

Absolutely. In fact, that’s our family’s favorite method. Heat it gently on LOW and avoid boiling.

What Kind of Red Wine Is Best for Homemade Glühwein?

A dry, fruity red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon works well. There’s no need to use an expensive bottle.

Do I Need to Add Sugar to Bottled Glühwein?

Usually not! Most bottled Glühwein is already sweetened, so taste it first.

Can I Make Glühwein Ahead of Time?

Yes. Prepare it in advance, refrigerate it promptly, and gently reheat before serving.

All in all

Whether we’re celebrating Thanksgiving, gathering on Christmas Eve, or enjoying a quiet evening at home, Glühwein always makes an appearance during the holiday season.

I love that it’s something we can make as simple or elaborate as we want. Sometimes we start from scratch, but more often, we open a few bottles of our favorite German Glühwein, add fresh fruit and spices, and let the slow cooker do the rest.

It’s easy, delicious, and one of those little traditions that makes the holidays feel like the holidays.