Hot and Spicy Wine

Fall has officially arrived: the leaves are turning gorgeous colors, and the weather is turning blustery. It’s cold and raining and windy, and Sunday we watched (on TV) New England v Tennessee in Boston and they were plowing snow…in mid October…what’s up with that?

So I’m looking for ways to be warm and cozy this week-end. And what’s warmer and cozier than a little hot spiced wine!

hot and spicy glühwein

A few years ago I discovered a fast, easy and inexpensive way to make glühwein, the German version of spiced wine that is made with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, sugar and citrus. I have a recipe for traditional glühwein, which I’ll share below, but sometime Moi needs a little shortcut!

Years ago on a trip to Germany I was visiting a grocery store (I always visit local grocery stores and come away with the best stuff to haul home…for myself and for gifts). And I discovered boxes of  glühwein bags! These look like tea bags, but are filled with spices and you simply add 1 bag to a bottle of wine, heat and serve! Voila: glühwein! About €2 0r $3 a box of 10. When I’m being extra lazy, I just pour a glass of wine into a mug, add a glühwein bag, microwave for about 90 seconds, and Prost! (tip: If you do the micro shortcut, re-use the bag several times!)

I have found these handy little glühwein bags a couple places in the US: at the German store in the food market at Grand Central Station in NYC and at the annual Christkindlmarket in Chicago. I’m guessing other German neighborhoods in Milwaukee, St Louis and other cities might offer these handy little spice bags. Williams Sonoma sells a wonderful can of mulling spices every year at the holidays, this could be put in a loose tea strainer to easily make your own single-serving spiced wine. Or you can make a whole pot by following Moi recipe!

Moi’s Glühwein recipe:

• 1 bottle of dry red wine
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 tsp orange peel

Simmer the wine, add sugar and stir to dissove. Remove from heat, add remaining ingredients, and steep. Serve hot in mugs.

Boxes of glühwein bags make great gifts to stock in your gift drawer…buy a dozen! They could just as easily be used to spice up a cup of tea or apple juice. Perfect for everyone from BFFs to teachers to the postman to your favorite blogger!