If like us, the latest alcohol ban caught you off guard and the cold weather has got you craving a hot glass of Glühwein then this Non-alcoholic lockdown Glühwein recipe is just for you. I honestly despise the taste of non-alcoholic wine, but in this recipe it is more than palatable. I prefer using whole spices in my Glühwein, because I find ground spices give it a grainy taste. But that is a personal preference. You can also play around with the syrup. I found that the 3/4 cup of water and sugar is a little sweet for me.
You will need:
A bottle of non-alcoholic red wine (I used Leopard’s Leap Natura De-Alcoholised Classic red)
¾ cup water (If you like your Glühwein less sweet make it 1 cup)
¾ cup brown sugar (If you like your Glühwein less sweet make it 1/2 cup)
6 cinnamon sticks
6 Cloves
6 Star anise
A few cardamon pods
A few all spice seeds
1 Orange or grapefruit
A Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
This is how:
1. On the stove in a large pot dissolve the sugar in the water at a low temperature.
2. Add the spices to the sugar water. Cut the oranges into slices and add it to the mixture, including the peel.
3. Let this aromatic mixture simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, until thick and syrupy. Keep a eye on it – you want syrup, not caramel.
4. Add the wine and heat until the mixture is steaming, but not boiling.
6. Remove the orange slices and spices with a ladle. You could drain it through a sieve if you want.
Cheers! Keep warm!
xxx
Orginal recipe from ‘My Lowveld Kitchen’.
