Celebrate the festive season and warm up with glühwein whether you are at home or at sea.

Note: Recipe makes approximately 12 servings of 200ml (about 6.76 oz) size mugs

EQUIPMENT WE NEED

• 1 Large Pot
• 1 Zester
• 1 Large Fork
• 1 Chinois Strainer (or a regular strainer if straining into each mug)

INGREDIENTS WE NEED

• ½ cup of sugar (white or brown)
• 1 whole cinnamon stick (or 1 per mug for serving)
• 2 tsp whole cloves
• 3 whole oranges (2 for cooking, 1 for decoration)
• 1 liter (about 34 oz.) orange juice (room temperature)
• 3 bottles (750ml each) full-bodied red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or a Shiraz with a lot of tannins recommended)
• 80 ml (about 2.7 oz) Cognac (or to taste, depending on how long you cook the wine)

LET’S MAKE IT

Step 1 - Heat the Sugar

• Place a pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the sugar.

Step 2 - Add Spices

• Add the cloves and cinnamon stick to the pot.
• Let the sugar slowly melt — do not let it darken or burn.

Step 3 - Prepare the Oranges

• Wash and zest 2 oranges. Add the zest to the pot.
• Cut the zested oranges in half.

Step 4 - Mix with a Fork

• Take one half of a zested orange and poke it with a large fork on the skin side at a 45° angle (so you don’t scratch your pot).
• Use this to gently stir the mixture — be careful, the mixture should now be around 350°F.

Step 5 - Add Juices

• Slowly squeeze the juice from the remaining zested orange halves into the pot.
• Then add the room temperature orange juice.

Step 6 - Simmer the Base

• Let the mixture simmer gently until all the sugar is fully dissolved — there should be no visible sugar crystals.

Step 7 - Add the Wine

• Pour in the wine and let it simmer gently for no more than 5 minutes.
• Do not boil.

Step 8 - Garnish Prep

• While the wine is simmering, slice your remaining orange for garnish.

Step 9 - Add Cognac

• Add the Cognac to the pot last.

Step 10 - Final Touches

• Stir and taste.
• Adjust with more Cognac or orange juice as desired.

SERVE IT

• Strain and serve into a mug. Garnish with a slice of orange on the rim. Optional: Add a cinnamon stick for a festive touch.

Enjoy!