Old-Fashioned Swedish Gl?gg

This warm and cozy gl?gg recipe will warm you up from the inside out. If you've never celebrated the holiday season with Swedish gl?gg, it's time to remedy that ASAP!

What Is Gl?gg?

Gl?gg is Swedish infused wine. Usually served during the holiday season, it's similar to mulled wine — but it's not quite the same thing (gl?gg is a bit more involved). Traditionally, the drink is set on fire so the sugar granules completely dissolve.

Gl?gg Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this traditional Swedish gl?gg recipe:

· Alcohol: This big batch Swedish gl?gg recipe is quite boozy. It calls for a combination of port wine (don't throw away the bottles!), bourbon whiskey, and white rum.· Spices: The gl?gg gets its warm and cozy flavor from cloves, a cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods. A strip of orange peel lends fruity flavor.· Sugar: Sweeten things up with ¾ cup white sugar.· Raisins and almonds: Raisins and almonds lend subtle, yet welcome, flavor.

Tip: Use an ordinary port wine for this recipe, because the strong-flavored spices and other ingredients will overwhelm an expensive wine.

How to Make Gl?gg

Making Swedish gl?gg for the first time can be intimidating, but it's actually not that hard (you just need a great recipe). You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

1. Heat the port wine. Add bourbon and rum, making sure the alcohol is warm but not simmering.2. Secure the spices and orange peel strip in a cheesecloth square tied with twine.3. Carefully light the alcohol with a long-handled match and let burn for one minute.4. Place the lid on the pot to extinguish the flames. Let cool for 10 minutes.5. Add the bundled spices and let cool to room temperature.6. Strain and serve, garnishing with the reserved raisins and almonds.

How to Store Glogg

Pour strained gl?gg into the reserved port wine bottles, replace the caps, and keep upright in a cool dark place for up to a year. You can also refrigerate the steeped raisins and almonds in a covered bowl or jar for up to a year.

Cookdap Community Tips and Praise

“Just like what my grandfather used to make,” says Write from the Heart. “Warms the heart and the blue flames make a spectacular show that will break the ice at even the stiffest of gatherings. Sometimes I use rum instead of whiskey. Can adapt this to be non-alcoholic: one liter apple juice, one liter cranberry juice, one lemon sliced.”

“I grew up in Sweden and still have family there and visit on a regular basis,” according to mitoboru. “I have had and made my fair share of gl?gg, including my grandmother’s recipe. This is by far the best one to date.”

“Growing up with a Swedish family, this was a staple of Christmas,” says Erinammo. “The smell is so sweet and wonderful. This is exactly how my father makes it. Be prepared though for the kick and don’t expect to drink too much!”