Liquid Warmth in a Glass

It’s official. The winter months have crept up on us and have been teasing us with some cold nights and chilly mornings. Unlike the European countries, we are not equipped to deal with such cold. Luckily our winter is short lived and just as we are finally becoming used to dealing with the cold, we get to pack away our winter warmers. However, we decided that this year, winter will not get the better of us. We sent our most experienced adventurer and explorer on a journey to the coldest corners of the iciest European countries to learn their strategies in keeping warm and they came back with this delicious Glühwein Recipe that will warm you through to the bone!

Liquid Warmth – Glühwein

Although glühwein (“glue-vine”) is a German word, this mulled wine has it’s first origins in the Roman Empire and became popular in German speaking countries after the Roman invasion of Europe brought this recipe to them. Many European countries have there own adaptions to this hot red wine recipe – some favouring lemon over orange and using various different syrups. Fortunately you do not need to be Roman or even European to partake this “don’t-let-my-glass-become-empty” hot alcoholic drink.

Glühwein Recipe

READY IN: 45mins

SERVES: 6

Ingredients:

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

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 (it is customary at this step to practice a sample taste – you may need another bottle on standby in case sampling in excess occurs), stir and heat until steaming but not simmering. Remove the clove-studded orange halves.
4. Serve hot with a slice of orange in mugs or glasses that have been preheated in warm water (cold glasses will break).

If following recipes from scratch is really not your thing, Woolies does a quick and easy one. Otherwise, book with us and we can chat about including some Glühwein at your next event to end your function, training or conference off on a warm note. Book here or fill out the contact form below.