GLüHWEIN (HOT SPICED RED WINE)

Glühwein (Hot Spiced Red Wine) image

A winter cocktail sure to warm you from your head to your toes. Red wine is warmed with spices and citrus, then amped up with a bit of brandy for the coziest holiday drink.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 each medium organic orange
20 each whole cloves (give or take a few cloves - no need to be exact)
750 ml light red wine (1 bottle, on the drier/lighter side is better. We love Pinot Noir, Lemburger or Merlot can also work)
3 each (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
5 each strips lemon peel (about 2 inches long each, just use a carrot peeler and try to avoid including too much pith)
1/4 cup sugar (start with 1/4 cup and add to taste up to 2/3 cup)
1/3 cup brandy
Cinnamon sticks
Orange slices

Steps:

Using a toothpick, poke 20 holes all over your orange, then poke the cloves into the holes.
Add orange to a medium saucepan. Pour the wine into the pan. Add the cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, and 1/3 cup sugar. Stir gently to help dissolve the sugar.
Turn the heat on medium-low and heat until just below a simmer. Do not boil! Reduce heat to low - just enough to keep warm but again, not simmering or boiling. Cover and let warm over the heat for about 20 minutes, until hot wine is flavored by the spices.
Stir in the brandy. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Depending on your wine and tastes, you may only need the intial 1/4 cup of sugar, or you may need the entire 2/3 cup.
Ladle into three large or four smaller mugs, garnish if desired, pass 'em out and and inhale your Glühwein goodness.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 266 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 24 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 14 g, ServingSize 1 serving