Lightened-Up Cranberry Mulled Wine (Glühwein): Your Perfect Holiday Season Companion

This lightened-up version of mulled wine, or Glühwein, combines the festive warmth of traditional spices with the bright, tangy notes of cranberry juice, creating an irresistibly fruity and aromatic drink. It’s the perfect warm beverage to chase away the chill of a cold winter’s eve, offering both comfort and cheer. (Jump straight to the recipe here.)

There’s a unique magic that settles in during the beautiful hiatus between Christmas and New Year’s. The frenetic rush of the holidays has subsided; stockings are emptied, festive meals savored, and Santa’s visit a cherished memory. Yet, the enchantment lingers. Tree lights continue to glow, family puzzles might still be taking shape, and new books beckon from cozy corners. This serene period is an ideal time to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the simple pleasures, perhaps with a steaming glass of homemade Glühwein as we gently count down the days and hours until the new year begins.

Imagine wrapping your hands around a warm, steaming mug of Glühwein, or “glow wine” – a truly evocative name for this festive beverage. With each sip, you inhale the intoxicating aromas of the holidays: cinnamon, cloves, and citrus dancing together in a symphony of scents. This warmth isn’t just external; it seeps right through to your core, warming you from head to toe. This isn’t the time to rush to dismantle the Christmas tree or pack away all traces of the festivities. Instead, it’s an invitation to extend the magic a little longer, to savor the quiet joys and simple pleasures of this extraordinary time of year. The planning, cooking, and excitement of preparing for Christmas are now behind us, making way for pure relaxation and appreciation of the present moment. It’s a cherished time we eagerly anticipate all year.

The Rich Traditions of German Glühwein

In Germany, the Christmas season is a marathon, not a sprint, traditionally lasting for all 12 days of Christmas, just like in the beloved song. This period stretches from Christmas Eve right through to Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, on January 6th. You won’t find anyone rushing to take down their tree on Boxing Day here! During these festive twelve days, visiting friends and family and celebrating together is a daily occurrence, even if it’s just to share a glass of Glühwein and a Christmas cookie with neighbors. This extended celebration emphasizes community, joy, and the lingering spirit of the holidays.

Beyond the home, Glühwein is an iconic staple of the German Advent season. From late November until Christmas Eve, traditional stalls at every Christmas market – whether in bustling cities or quaint small towns across Germany – beckon with the irresistible aroma of spiced mulled wine. The sight of people bundled in scarves and hats, clutching steaming mugs of Glühwein as they wander through the festive markets, is a quintessential German winter experience. It’s safe to say, a tremendous amount of this ‘glowing’ spiced wine is savored across the country, playing a central role in warming both bodies and spirits during the colder months.

This particular recipe offers a delightful, lightened-up version of traditional Glühwein, infused with a distinct Canadian touch. It beautifully marries the robust depth of red wine with the vibrant, tangy sweetness of cranberry juice and a carefully selected blend of warm spices. The result is a richly flavored yet wonderfully fruity beverage that allows you to enjoy several glasses without feeling overly indulgent – keeping your wits about you for continued festive conversations! This recipe is inspired by the soul-warming drink my sister, Ingrid, graciously served when our family gathered at her home on Boxing Day (or der zweiter Weihnachtstag, the second day of Christmas).

On that memorable day, which was remarkably warm for us at -8°C, Ingrid kept the mulled wine perfectly warm in a slow cooker. This thoughtful touch meant we could easily refill our mugs as we sipped, chatted, and enjoyed each other’s company around a crackling campfire. The gentle glow of the fire, the crisp winter air, and the comforting warmth of the spiced wine created an unforgettable ambiance, a true highlight of the holiday season.

After our outdoor gathering, we moved indoors to feast on succulent venison burgers, prepared from deer that Ingrid and her husband, Doug, had harvested earlier that fall. It was a truly enchanting and heartwarming way to spend a Christmas Season day, surrounded by family, good food, and shared laughter. This Cranberry Mulled Wine truly embodies that spirit of togetherness and warmth.

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year, filled with many blessings, abundant laughter, and memorable meals shared with your dearest family and friends!

* * * * *

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Cranberry Mulled Wine

Kitchen Frau Notes: For this delightful Glühwein, I highly recommend using the cranberry juice cocktail commonly found in grocery stores. If you opt for unsweetened, pure cranberry juice – often available in health food stores – be prepared for a very tart flavor profile. In that case, you will need to significantly increase the amount of honey or your preferred sweetener to balance the taste.

Star anise is a fascinating spice, often found in German baking, particularly in traditional lebkuchen spice mixes, and even in my mom’s comforting chicken soup. Its familiar, delicate licorice-like flavor adds a wonderful dimension to dishes. If star anise isn’t to your taste or proves difficult to find, simply omit it. You can compensate by adding a couple of extra cloves to maintain a rich spice profile. It’s important to remember to remove the star anise pods from the cranberry juice mixture after the 20-minute simmering period. This prevents the flavor from becoming overly dominant or bitter, ensuring a perfectly balanced drink.

When incorporating the peel of citrus fruits into any recipe, especially for beverages like mulled wine where the peel infuses directly into the liquid, I always make an effort to source organic produce. The outer skin of non-organic citrus can often contain higher concentrations of pesticides, and ensuring these aren’t transferred into my food is a priority for a cleaner, healthier drink.

Lightened-Up Cranberry Mulled Wine (Glühwein) Recipe

This recipe yields 6-8 servings of truly delightful mulled wine.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (750ml) cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 cup (250ml) water
• Strips of zest from one large orange (preferably organic)
• 2 cinnamon sticks (3 to 4 inches / 8-10 cm each)
• 4 to 5 whole cloves
• 1 to 2 star anise pods (optional, for a subtle licorice note)
• 1 bottle (750ml) full-bodied red wine (such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a rich blend)
• 2 to 4 tablespoons honey, or more to taste (I personally prefer it tangy with just 2 tablespoons)

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Spice Infusion:** Pour the cranberry juice cocktail and water into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a lid. This forms the flavorful base for your mulled wine.

2. **Zest the Orange:** Using a vegetable peeler or a sharp paring knife, carefully remove long, wide strips of the outer orange peel. Try to get as little of the bitter white pith as possible, as it can impart an unpleasant taste. The vibrant orange zest is crucial for bright citrus notes.

3. **Simmer the Spices:** Add the orange zest strips, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise (if using) to the saucepan with the cranberry juice mixture. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil over medium heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with its lid and allow the mixture to simmer for a full 20 minutes. This crucial step allows the spices and orange zest to release their full aromatic flavors into the juice, creating a fragrant concentrate.

4. **Strain and Add Wine:** After simmering, carefully strain out all the spices and orange peel from the juice mixture. While the star anise should be removed to prevent overpowering the flavor, you may choose to return the cinnamon sticks to the juice. Their flavor will continue to mellow and deepen pleasantly as they steep. Now, pour in the entire bottle of full-bodied red wine.

5. **Sweeten and Heat:** Stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons of honey, or adjust to your personal taste preference. Increase the heat to medium-low and gently heat the wine mixture until it is thoroughly hot, but be very careful not to let it come to a boil. Mulled wine should never boil, as the alcohol begins to evaporate rapidly once the wine reaches a temperature over 80°C (175°F), diminishing the overall character and warmth of the drink.

6. **Keep Warm & Serve:** Once heated, keep your delicious mulled wine warm over very low heat in the covered saucepan. Alternatively, for serving, transfer it to a heatproof pitcher nestled over a tealight candle flame, a slow cooker set to low, or an insulated thermos or carafe. This ensures it stays perfectly warm for ongoing enjoyment.

7. **Garnish & Enjoy:** Serve your Lightened-Up Cranberry Mulled Wine in heatproof glasses or mugs, optionally garnished with an additional fresh strip of orange peel or a fresh cinnamon stick for an extra touch of aroma and visual appeal. This vibrant and comforting libation is truly a lovely choice to serve during New Year’s Eve festivities or for a leisurely New Year’s Day brunch, extending the holiday cheer.

Guten Appetit! Enjoy!

Want to receive new Kitchen Frau recipes directly to your email? Sign up here and you’ll get a handy and useful kitchen tip along with each recipe, too.  (No spam ever.)

If you like my recipes, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. You’d make my day!

PIN IT HERE to save the recipe for later:

You might also like these comforting winter beverages:

Poinsettia Cocktail: A Festive Sparkling Drink

Hot Spiced Apple Cider: A Non-Alcoholic Delight

Homemade Chai Tea Latte Concentrate

A Trio of Warm Milks to Curl Up With – Perfect for Chilly Nights!