Mulled White Wine
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This lightly spiced, warm white wine cocktail (known as white gluhwein) is perfect for winter nights! Make this European cozy cocktail and Christmas market classic tonight.
While visiting Christmas markets in Europe this year, I fell in love with mulled white wine. It is a delicious cocktail made from white wine, citrus, and aromatic spices. Basically, the perfect drink for fall and winter!
Frequently Asked Questions about Mulled Wine
- What is mulled wine? Mulled wine, frequently referred to as Gluhwein, is wine that is simmered with spices and served warm. Traditionally, most Gluhwein you find around is made with red wine. In some parts of Europe, you will also find a white mulled wine like this one.
- What is the best mulled wine for mulled wine? When making red mulled wine, the best wine to choose is one that is dry and full-bodied. Go for a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. For white gluhwein, I usually recommend a dry Riesling from Germany or Alsace or something like a Pinot Grigio.
- How do you keep mulled wine warm? I usually keep mine on the stove on very low to keep it warm. For parties, after we’ve made gluhwein, I will transfer it to a coffee carafe to keep it warm and also make it easy to serve.
- Is gluhwein only for Christmas? No! While gluhwein is incredibly popular at European Christmas markets, you can certainly enjoy this white mulled wine anytime of year, especially when the weather is colder.
Ingredients for White Gluhwein
- Dry White Wine – I used Gewurztraminer in this recipe but most dry, white wines will work. Pinot Grigio or a dry Riesling also make great options. I would recommend avoiding anything that is very oaky or buttery.
- Citrus – This recipe relies heavily on melding the flavors of the wine with citrus flavors. You’ll need a mix of oranges, lemons, and orange juice.
- Sugar – Regular granulated sugar works well. Since each wine is a little different, you may need to adjust the sugar to fit your tastes.
- Spices – A combination of whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom make this recipe taste fantastic.
How to Make White Gluhwein
Making white gluhwein is super easy. You can make mulled white wine in as quickly as 20 minutes but it is also fine to let it sit over low heat for an hour or two. I usually remove most of the fruit and spices from the mixture after 30-45 minutes if I am going to be keeping it warm for a long period of time. The most important step it making sure the mixture does not boil as that would reduce the alcohol content in the wine and also negatively impact the taste.
When serving this hot wine cocktail, I love to include a fresh orange or lemon slice and a cinnamon stick for a garnish. A star anise pod also makes a nice statement too.
More Winter Cocktail Recipes
Mulled White Wine
Ingredients
- 750 ml bottle dry white wine
- 1 orange thinly sliced
- ยฝ lemon thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed is ideal
- 1/3 cup sugar adjust to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 cardamom pods
- 2 whole star anise
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot, combine the orange slices, lemon slices, orange juice, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice/cardamom, and star anise. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar.1 orange, ยฝ lemon, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 4 cardamom pods, 2 whole star anise
- Pour the white wine into the pot and stir.750 ml bottle dry white wine
- Heat the mixture over low heat until warm (do not let it boil, as boiling will cook off the alcohol). Allow it to simmer gently on low heat for about 15-20 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more sugar.
- Strain the Glรผhwein through a fine mesh sieve to remove the spices and fruit slices. Serve warm in mugs or heat-safe glasses.
- Garnish each glass with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, or a piece of star anise for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Wine: Opt for a dry white wine like a German dry wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Riesling. Avoid sweet wines since the sugar and orange juice already add sweetness.
- Sugar: Start with less sugar and adjust to taste, as sweetness levels can vary
depending on the wine and orange juice used. - Citrus: If you prefer less tang, reduce the orange slices or add only 2 slices of lemon. Tanginess and bitterness can also be reduced with less simmering time.
- Spices: Feel free to adjust the spice quantities to suit your taste.
- Heat: Keep the heat low and avoid boiling to preserve the alcohol and prevent a bitter taste from the citrus peels.
Nutrition
If you make this winter cocktail recipe or any other recipe from the blog, I’d love to hear about your experience. Leave me a comment below or snap a photo and tag it #MySuburbanKitchen on Instagram or Facebook. And be sure to pin this to your favorite Pinterest cocktail board too!
