Mulled Wine Around the World: Surprising Traditions & Recipes

For many, mulled wine is a holiday offering— red wine with some spices, maybe some orange slice. After tasting lots of variations and doing research across Europe and Latin America however, I came to understand that this warm spiced drink offers a far more 'deep' story that is wrapped in history, cultural identity and yes, even considerations for medicinal spells.

In this guide, I will go beyond your basic cinnamon stick offering and show you how mulled wine looks through the lens of the tradition from one region to the next - from the peppery and bold Glogg I had in Stockholm, to the citrus-infused Navegado served on the coast of Chile. I hope you will encounter the surprises of different ingredients, practices and reasons why this ancient drink continues to exist, and thrive, during modern celebrations of people all over the world. 

If you are merely curious, want to learn about other culinary traditions, or simply want to take your own winter gatherings to the next level, consider this your passport to learning about and mastering the multicultural language of mulled wine.

Top Takeaways

1. 🌍 Global Tradition
   Mulled wine is made differently in Germany, Sweden, Chile, and beyond.
   
   

2. 🍷 Cultural Reflection
   Each version tells a story—shaped by local customs, climate, and ingredients.
   
   

3. 📈 Growing U.S. Interest
   Wine imports and seasonal wine consumption are on the rise.
   
   

4. 🧭 More Than a Drink
   It’s a ritual that fosters connection, warmth, and intentional moments.
   
   

5. ✅ Easy to Try at Home
   Use regional recipes, simple ingredients, and add your own twist.

Mulled wine may evoke images of festive European Christmas markets, but its history extends far beyond spiced red wine in a holiday mug. Made from a spiced wine base, this warm and comforting drink has local twists everywhere: different flavors, rituals, and meanings.

In Germany, Glühwein has become the popular drink of winter celebrations, that consists of red wine with European spices like cloves, star anise, and citrus. In Sweden, the Glögg, consists of stronger wine spiked with vodka or aquavit are served hot with raisins and almonds. It is thought to have existed since the 16th century. In Chile, Navegado is spiced wine with orange peel, cinnamon and sugar that is typically enjoyed on cool coastal evenings. Modern variations of mulled wine are being developed in bars in urban China, where they are seasoned with local spices, including Sichuan peppercorns, to create a new type of experience. 

Each variation expresses more than just flavor—it conveys meteorological and geographical conditions, local farming, and celebrations of life. Whether you're relaxing at a Christmas market or making it yourself at home, the benefit of drinking mulled wine around the world gives cultural significance and dimension to every sip.

Try some international reciipes yourself—you may discover what you'll remember most about mulled wine is in a way you might never be able to predict. 

Case Study: Mulled Wine Traditions Around the World

First-hand insights and cultural takeaways from three unique regions.

1. 🇩🇪 Germany – Glühwein in Nuremberg

Where: Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg
What Stood Out:

• Vendors used family recipes passed down generations
  
  

• Common ingredients: red wine, cloves, cinnamon, orange
  
  

• Unique twists: cherry brandy, star anise
  
  

• Served in collectible mugs
  
  

Original Insight:

Glühwein isn’t just a drink—it’s a living heritage. Each cup tells a family story and is shared with pride in a festive community setting.

2. 🇸🇪 Sweden – Glöggfest in Gothenburg

Where: Private family home, Gothenburg
What Stood Out:

• Homemade Glögg with port, aquavit, cardamom
  
  

• Served with saffron buns and gingersnaps
  
  

• Guests personalize their drinks with raisins and almonds
  
  

• The event centered around connection and warmth
  
  

Original Insight:

Glögg is a social ritual. In Sweden, it’s how people come together to brighten long, dark winters—one cup at a time.

3. 🇨🇱 Chile – Navegado in Valparaíso

Where: Family-run restaurant, coastal Valparaíso
What Stood Out:

• Ingredients: red wine, cloves, orange peel, raw sugar
  
  

• Originally used to warm returning fishermen
  
  

• Still a favorite on chilly coastal nights
  
  

• Prepared simply and with care
  
  

Original Insight:

Navegado is humble and heartfelt. It shows that cultural richness doesn’t require complexity—just warmth, purpose, and people.

🌍 Key Takeaways

• Every version reflects its local culture.
  
  

• Traditions add emotional depth to the drink.
  
  

• You’re not just sipping spiced wine—you’re tasting history.
  
  

Want to try these at home? Explore our global mulled wine recipe guide and recreate these flavors with your own twist. 

"After sampling mulled wine from Stockholm to Santiago, I’ve learned that every culture adds its own story to the spice. It’s more than a drink—it’s a reflection of place, season, and tradition. Whether it’s the bold kick of aquavit in Swedish Glögg or the citrusy warmth of Chilean Navegado, each version reveals something authentic about the people who make it."

Supporting Statistics & First-Hand Insights: Mulled Wine’s Rising Relevance in the U.S.

Here’s what the data—and real-world experience—show about America’s growing appetite for wine-based seasonal traditions like mulled wine.

1. 🇪🇺 U.S. Wine Imports Heavily Favor Europe

• In 2021, the U.S. imported 456 million gallons of wine worth $7.5 billion.
  
  

• 75% of that value came from the European Union.
  
  

• Classic European wines often form the base for Glühwein, Glögg, and other spiced variations.
  
  

✅ Insight: Americans are increasingly reaching for traditional European wines—the same ones used in centuries-old mulled wine recipes.
🔗 USDA Economic Research Service

2. 🎄 Holiday Alcohol Use Spikes in the U.S.

• Alcohol consumption rises significantly during the holiday season.
  
  

• The NIAAA notes a corresponding spike in alcohol-related incidents.
  
  

• This period offers a unique opportunity to introduce mindful, cultural drinking traditions.
  
  

✅ Insight: During mulled wine tastings, I’ve found people crave meaningful, slower-paced drinking experiences—exactly what traditional recipes deliver.
🔗 NIAAA – Truth About Holiday Spirits

3. 📈 Alcohol Consumption Is Up Nationwide

• In 2021, U.S. per capita alcohol consumption rose to 2.51 gallons of ethanol.
  
  

• That’s a 2.9% increase from 2020, and the biggest two-year rise since 1969.
  
  

✅ Insight: With more people exploring alcohol at home, interest in historic, spiced drinks like mulled wine is growing—especially when paired with story and tradition.
🔗 NIAAA Surveillance Report #120

🧭 Take the next step: Try a regional mulled wine recipe and bring global tradition to your winter table.

Final Thought & Opinion: Mulled Wine Is a Global Language of Comfort

Mulled wine isn’t just a seasonal treat—it’s a reflection of history, culture, and human connection. After tasting and studying its variations around the world, I’ve developed a unique perspective shaped by direct experiences.

🌍 What I’ve Learned First-Hand

1. In Germany:
   
   

   • Glühwein is passed down through generations.
     
     

   • It’s a proud tradition tied to festive rituals and craftsmanship.
     
     

2. In Sweden:
   
   

   • Glögg is about community and light in long winters.
     
     

   • It’s personalized, shared, and full of intention.
     
     

3. In Chile:
   
   

   • Navegado is simple, heartfelt, and rooted in local resilience.
     
     

   • It brings people together through warmth, not extravagance.
     
     

💬 My Personal Takeaway

• Mulled wine is more than a drink.
  It’s a story told in spices, shared across borders.
  
  

• It invites presence.
  People sip it slower, savor it longer, and gather around it more intentionally.
  
  

• It deserves more than one month a year.
  The comfort and cultural richness it offers have a place beyond the holidays.
  
  

🧭 Final Opinion

Mulled wine is a global language of comfort and connection.
We shouldn’t treat it as just a holiday novelty—it’s a year-round invitation to slow down, warm up, and share something meaningful.

Next Steps: Explore Mulled Wine Traditions Yourself

Ready to bring global mulled wine traditions into your home? Follow these simple, actionable steps:

1. 🗺️ Choose a Style to Try

Pick a cultural variation to start with:

• 🇩🇪 German Glühwein – Red wine, citrus, cloves
  
  

• 🇸🇪 Swedish Glögg – Port, aquavit, cardamom
  
  

• 🇨🇱 Chilean Navegado – Orange peel, cinnamon, sugar
  
  

2. 🛒 Gather Your Ingredients

• Use quality red wine (drinkable but affordable)
  
  

• Stock whole spices: cloves, cinnamon, star anise
  
  

• Add extras: orange slices, raisins, almonds, honey
  
  

3. 🔥 Simmer & Serve

• Gently heat for 20–30 minutes (don’t boil)
  
  

• Serve warm in heat-safe mugs
  
  

• Keep warm in a slow cooker or insulated pot
  
  

4. 🥳 Host a Tasting Night

• Offer multiple versions for guests to sample
  
  

• Share stories from each country
  
  

• Include a non-alcoholic option (e.g. spiced cider)
  
  

5. 📸 Share Your Experience

• Post your version with #MulledWineWorldTour
  
  

• Comment with your favorite recipe
  
  

• Tag us to be featured in our community showcase

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is mulled wine?

Mulled wine is a warm, spiced wine traditionally made by heating red wine with ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, citrus, and sugar. It's commonly enjoyed during the winter season and at holiday celebrations.

2. What kind of wine is best for making mulled wine?

Use a dry or semi-dry red wine with bold flavor and good body, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel. It doesn’t need to be expensive—just drinkable on its own.

3. Can mulled wine be made without alcohol?

Yes! You can create a non-alcoholic version using cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, or non-alcoholic red wine simmered with the same spices and fruits for a similar cozy flavor.

4. How long should you simmer mulled wine?

Simmer gently for 20–30 minutes—never boil it. Boiling can burn off the alcohol and alter the flavor. Keep it warm over low heat or in a slow cooker for serving.

5. Can you make mulled wine ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare it a day in advance, let the spices infuse overnight, then gently reheat before serving. This can deepen the flavor and save time during gatherings.

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