Glogg

I imagine by now you have heard that folks from places like Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands are among some of the happiest people in the world. The phenomenon of it all is surrounded by the fact that their geographical location lends itself to long, harsh winters and shorter periods of daylight. Their secret to this perpetual state of bliss is a bi-product of hygge or ultimate coziness. However, I know the real reason everyone in Scandinavia is out and about whistling Dixie while the average winter temp reads between two and six degrees Celsius…

Hello! GLOGG! They are all bombed! Ain’t no one feeling anything but good during the coldest months of the year because Glogg runs through their veins. I am telling you these people are on to something.

Glogg, pronounced “gl-urgg” by the Swedes, is a mulled wine infused with herbs and spices and a shitload of booze served warm. I am pretty sure this stuff was designed to warm you from the inside out and then get you so buzzed you are physically unable to feel anything, including sub-zero temps. The first time I had glogg was at my Swedish friend’s Christmas party 15 years ago and I can attest, no pain was felt. I was pissed drunk like a proper Swede on a cold winter’s day.

In an effort to get you ready for the winter, armed with hygge essentials, I thought it necessary you add a glogg recipe to your toolbox. This recipe is an authentic glogg recipe, shared by my friend who taught me how to enjoy this hygge beverage so many years ago!

Ingredients

1 Cheesecloth

8  Blanched Almonds

8  Cardamon Seeds

1/2 Cinnamon Stick

1/2 Peel from an orange

1/3 c. Raisins

3 c.  Water

9 c.  Port Wine

3 c. Whiskey

3/4 c.  Clear Rum

1 1/2 c. sugar

Place the first five ingredients in a cheesecloth and secure it with string. Bring water and sugar to a boil and add cheesecloth filled with spices, nuts, and raisins to the pot. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Take the spices out. Add the wine, whiskey, and rum. Bring to a boil. Bring to a simmer and then serve. That is it!

Since glogg is drunk warm, it is best served in a handled glass or mug. For some pizzazz, you can add a cinnamon stick, star of anise or an orange peel. Enjoy this drink next to a fire with your family and friends or perhaps outside in the elements as snow falls around you. Remember, you won’t feel a thing.

xo, Michelle