Getting ready for the Etsyswiss Online Christmas market on the 28th November and of course what Christmas market would be complete without Glühwein?
Glühwein is the Swiss (and German) hot spiced wine drink. Popular on the ski slopes and perfect to warm your hands as you wander round the Christmas market. You can make it with white wine, but the more traditional version is made with red wine.
Recipes vary and you should experiment to find your own favourites – all that is essential is some wine, some Christmassy spices and some citrus fruits. Glühwein can be made in advance and warmed up when needed, making it a great party drink – not that any of us will be having parties this year, but you can also pour a cup and heat it up one at a time!
Ingredients:
1 bottle of full bodied red wine (like a bordeaux)
2 star anise
2 whole cardamom pods
2 sticks of cinnamon
1 orange
1 lemon
6 whole cloves
3 to 4 tbsp sugar (or to taste, you can also sweeten it by the cup later)
Optional:
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Method
Slice the orange and the lemon. Now put everything in a large saucepan and warm it to just below simmering point. Keep it at that temperature for about 10 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and everything is warm and smelling gorgeous. Do not boil or the alcohol will disappear and it won’t taste as nice. Turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it – ideally for a few hours – for the flavours to all develop.
When needed heat it up to hot but not boiling and then ladle into a cup straining out all the bits. You can also heat it by the cup in the microwave.
See you online at the market on the 28th with your Glühwein!
