My Gluwein recipe

After researching multiple Gluwein & mulled wine recipes, this is the best I could come up with. I tended towards the ones that came from Germany, passed down through generations. In general, do not buy the Gluwein in stores, it is very one dimensional and tastes like it was made in a factory (which it probably was).

Ingredients

2 750mL of red wine
1 orange
20 cloves
3-4 whole allspice
3-4 cinnamon sticks broke in 1/2's or 1/3's
10-12 cardamon pods
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup port (or brandy or dessert sherry) **this is totally optional**


Start with 2 bottles of wine (think about Germany, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc all work well.) I chose a Cotes du Rhone this go around. Grenache is light in tannins and has good alcohol levels and is not as dry. A lot of the recipes on the web called for Cabernet Sauvignon, this sounds like a horrible proposition, these recipes were usually accompanied by vast amounts of sugar. Stay away from Cabernet. Remember, the quality of the wine will only increase the quality of the beverage you are serving.

Pour wine into large pot and turn on medium low heat. The key is to heat the wine, but never let it boil (you don't want to lose the alcohol or change the chemical composition of the wine in anyway.)

Cut an orange into round slices and press about 4-5 cloves in each slice.

Place the oranges into the wine and let them steep for about 7-10 minutes.

Add the other spices and let them steep for about 7-10 minutes.

Add the orange juice and port.

Add the sugar and slowly stir it in.

Let the entire mixture simmer on low for about 30 more minutes always stirring so the wine does not come to a boil. Strain into a crockpot and set the crockpot on low. Ladle and serve at will. Pour into your favorite holiday mug and garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or orange slice. Enjoy.