Glögg, or gløgg, is a spiced mulled wine that is enjoyed in the Nordic countries of Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden, but is especially popular in Sweden.
My family is originally from Finland. The photo above is my maternal grandfather's mother (the woman in the center with the striped skirt) and her family back in Finland.
My grandparents on both sides came over to the United States with their parents when they were small children and I remember glögg being served during the Christmas holiday season growing up, so I wanted to share this small piece of my family's history with you.
I love to add all the warm spices to my glögg, as well as some fresh orange slices. When I tell you that glögg tastes like Christmas, I'm not kidding!
I've played with the traditional recipe a bit here, omitting the raisins and almonds, but keeping the basic foundation of the sweet, spiced wine scented with cardamom.
I love making this warm spiced mulled wine in the winter, especially around the holidays! It's so easy to make and only takes 15 minutes. A cross between hot cider and a sangria, it will warm you right down to your toes this holiday season.
Glögg is so delicious served hot on cold winter nights in front of the fireplace playing cribbage or around the campfire or fire pit.
In fact, we shot a whole segment for the second season of Welcome to my Farm showing me making my glögg recipe and then playing a few rounds of cribbage with a friend, but unfortunately, the segment got cut from the final episode and ended up on the cutting room floor.
Hopefully it will resurface and can be repurposed for another episode in the next season.
But regardless, I hope you'll give glögg a try next time you're in the mood for a hot toddy! It's also a great recipe to double or triple for your holiday get-togethers this season.
(scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card)
Scandinavian Glögg Spiced Mulled Wine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 orange, sliced into 1/4" slices (reserve one slice to garnish each glass)
1 tablespoon whole green cardamom pods
1" piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced thin
2 cinnamon sticks
4 or 5 star anise
Vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/2 cup of vodka
Pour all the ingredients (except the reserved orange slices) into a large pot or Dutch oven.
Heat over medium heat until bubbles start to form around the edges, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Continue to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat, cover and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out the spices and orange slices, then pour the glögg into heat-proof glass mugs like these.
Garnish each glass with a reserved orange slice and serve hot.
Makes about 6 cups.
Don't want to make your own? You can buy Grandpa Lundquist Glogg on Amazon. (I mean, is there anything that Amazon doesn't sell?)
And no matter if your glögg is homemade or store bought, be sure to learn how to say "cheers" in a couple of different languages, just to make your glögg experience more authentic!
- In Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish, say "skål".
- In Icelandic, say "skál".
- In Finnish, say "kippis".
- And the Vikings would have said "skol".
