It’s winter time and while the weather might not be calling for morning mimosas or cheeky sundowner cocktails anymore, a glass of wine might help you unwind.

Why not spice up the day-to-day glass of wine with these top  2 warm wine ideas for winter?

German Glühwein

Glühwein, which actually translates to ‘glow-wine’, because it makes you feel like you’re glowing from the inside out.

Glühwein is a type of mulled wine that is made in the winter months in Germany. 

Here’s how to make a traditional German Glühwein.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 medium orange
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 20 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 bottle of dry red wine (cabinet sauvignon is best)
• Rum for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the orange. Make sure to do so in wide strips, and ensure that you avoid the white pith of the orange.
2. Juice the orange.
3. Mix the water and sugar in a big pot and boil until the sugar dissolves. 
4. Bring down the heat and add the cloves, cinnamon, star anise, orange zest, and orange juice. Simmer for about 1 minute.
5. Reduce the heat again and add the wine. Let it simmer slowly for at least 20 minutes. You can keep it going for to a few hours, but make sure it doesn’t simmer completely.
6. Strain and serve.

Inspired by The Kitchn.

American Eggnog

This popular American holiday drink is mentioned in almost every Hollywood Christmas movie.

Although we don’t enjoy a white Christmas, we can still take advantage of this creamy Christmas delicacy in July.

Here’s how to make an American eggnog.

Ingredient

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon, to garnish
• alcohol – ¼ cup brandy, bourbon, rum, or whisky 

Instructions

1. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until the mixture is light and creamy.
2. On medium heat, mix the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt in a pot. Stir until the mixture is at a bare simmer. 
3. Add a big spoon of the hot milk to the egg mixture, and whisk it together vigorously. Repeat, one spoonful at a time.
4. Once most of the hot milk has been added, pour the mixture back into the pot on the stove. 
5. Whisk the mixture for a few minutes, or until the mixture is slightly thick. It will thicken more as it cools down.
6. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla and your alcohol of choice. You can add more than a ¼ cup if you so desire.
7. Strain the mixture and cover it with plastic wrap. 
8. Refrigerate until chilled and the eggnog will thicken as it cools down. If you want a thinner consistency, you can add the mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until it reaches your desired smoothness.
9. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg and fresh whipped cream

Inspired by Tastes Better From Scratch.

Stay warm this winter with these warm wine ideas.

ALSO SEE:

4 easy hearty soup recipes for winter

Featured image: Pexels