Gluhwein

This is the classic, farm-style Glühwein recipe shared by Babylonstoren. The secret to their version is creating a spiced citrus syrup first, which coaxes out all the aromatic oils from the fruit and spices before the wine even touches the pot. Ideally, you'll want to use a bold, fruit-forward red wine like Babylonstoren’s own Babel blend or a good Shiraz.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Combine the water, sugar, citrus slices, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot.

Step 2

Place it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves (5 min).

Step 3

Bring this syrup mixture to a rolling boil and let it bubble for 5 minutes. This creates a concentrated, spicy, and fragrant syrup base.

Step 4

Turn the heat down to low, then pour in the red wine, lemon juice, and a pinch of cloves

Step 5

Heat the mixture gently until it is steaming hot and just below boiling point. Take it off the heat immediately if it looks close to a simmer—boiling will cook off the alcohol and flatten the flavors.

Step 6

If you want to mirror their seasonal "Glühwein Pack" style from the farm shop, you can substitute the orange or lemon slices with ripe naartjies (mandarins) and toss a small sprig of fresh lemon thyme into the pot with the wine for a bright, herbal citrus kick.

Step 7

Ladle it warm into mugs and enjoy!