Glüh Wein

In the film For Your Eyes Only, this blogger's favorite of Roger Moore's outings in the 007 franchise, Kristatos meets James Bond at an outdoor skating rink and offers to share some of his Glüh Wein as they discuss Bond's mission.

Glüh Wein translating into "glow wine", meaning, in effect wine that makes you glow inside, is basically a mulled wine. Perfect for the cold of December. Paradoxically not available in most bars, restaurants or even bottled so one must make it ones self or leave it to chance that it will be served in the home of a friend.

A few months ago, I was given a scrapbook book of mixed drinks, written mostly in Danish. I translated the various Glüh Wein recipes and this is the most interesting of the bunch, although I'm sure there are hundreds.

4.25 cups red wine (I used an otherwise disappointing zinfandel)
12 oz. Water
6 oz. Sugar (I used Turbinado sugar)
Juice of 2 lemons
4 cloves, muddled
1 stick of cinnamon, muddled
4-5 oz. brandy (I used Courvoisier VSOP)
2 cardamom pods, muddled.

Boil the water with sugar and spices. Add lemon juice, wine and brandy. Heat to boiling. Taste and serve.

The result is a sweet, spicy mulled wine that could easily take the chill off a cold winter's day in the old cold war.