Cold weather is incomplete without traditional glögg. Scandinavians gather in bars and invite friends and family over to spend time with a glass of hot spiced wine. Want the recipe for glögg from Scandinavia? Here it is! And bookmark it for later!
What you need for the base:
- 4 handfuls of raisins
- 300 ml of port wine
- 1 bottle of full-bodied red wine
- 250 g of brown sugar (preferably crystalline, but regular brown sugar can also work)
- 20 cinnamon sticks
- 20 g of whole allspice berries
- 20 g of whole cloves
- 10 g of whole cardamom pods
What you need for the glögg:
- 5 liters of full-bodied red wine
- 200 ml of dark rum
- 20 ml of aquavit or vodka
- Peel of 1 orange
- 200 ml of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 100 g of chopped almonds
So, let’s get cooking:
- Soak the raisins in port wine in advance, preferably overnight.
- Pour the bottle of red wine into a saucepan, add sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and cardamom, and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the liquid cool, then strain it through a sieve.
- Add red wine, strong alcoholic drinks, orange peel, and juice to the prepared base. Bring to a boil again, then add raisins, port wine, and almonds.
Glögg is a traditional Scandinavian drink that closely resembles mulled wine. However, it is steeped in spices for a longer time.
Originating from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, Glögg (pronounced “gluhg”) has become a beloved winter tradition, bringing people together to celebrate the joys of the season. Let’s delve into this delightful drink and uncover some more interesting and unusual facts about it.
This drink has ancient origins, with its roots tracing back to the Romans who would spice their wine to fend off the cold. As the tradition spread throughout Europe, it eventually found its way to Scandinavia, where it evolved into the hot spiced wine we know and love today.
In Sweden, spiced wine is closely associated with the Christmas season and is often enjoyed at festive gatherings known as “Glögg parties.”
While drink is a staple across Scandinavia, each country has its own unique twist on the recipe. For example, Swedish hot wine often incorporates almonds and raisins, while Norwegian variations may include dried fruit like figs or prunes. Danish drink is sometimes made with cherry wine, adding a fruity note to the spiced concoction.
If you are attracted to the culture of Scandinavia and are looking for inspiration in it, then probably my posts about the village of Santa Claus and Arctic Zoo Ranua may be interesting.
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