But this recipe is going to shake up the classic in a really great way. Apple Pie syrup, which is made with many of the same typical mulling spices in the classics, is delicious in this recipe. Rhubarb Vanilla can bring a great tart-sweet contrast to soften the wine as well, and is well complemented by the mulling spices. Berry Sage will also work well with a cabernet or shiraz red wine that has berry notes. Just choose your flavor, combine all the ingredients and let it simmer for a bit and you'll have a fast and delicious hot cup of cheer.

I like to make before cold weather group activities like sledding, snow mobiling, caroling, trick or treating, and the like. Keep it hot in a thermos and you'll always get an invite! Or, serve it warm on the stove or in a crockpot for family events. This recipe will bring the festive tastes of a European Christmas market to your kitchen.

Gluhwein with simple syrup

makes 5 cocktails

• 1 bottle fruity red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
• Juice from 2 medium sized oranges, freshly squeezed
• 1 cup SGS Apple Pie, Berry Sage, or Rhubarb Vanilla syrup (or less, to taste)
• 1 tablespoon mulling spices (make your own by mixing crushed, not ground cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and orange peel)

How to Make it

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. To make infusing the spices less messy, add in the mulling spices by using a tea ball strainer or wrapping them in cheese cloth or cotton. Bring the mix to a low simmer for 10 minutes. Taste, and if desired spice strength has been reached, remove the spice pieces (if you don’t have a tea strainer, use a slotted spoon or fine mesh cocktail strainer to strain out the juice pulp and spice peices.) Return the gluhwein cocktail to the pot and reduce the heat, keep it on low throughout service. Alternatively, the drink does wonderfully in a crockpot on low for parties. Serve warm in mugs. Garnish with an orange peel, cinnamon sticks, or apple slices.

Make a gluhwein mocktail:

Use a non-alcoholic red wine or replace the wine with brewed rooibus tea for a tannic and flavorful base for your gluhwein (and rooibus tea brews bright red!) just use 25 ounces of hot water, and add 3 Rooibos tea bags, steep for 5 minutes, then follow the remainder of the recipe.