Swedish Glögg Recipe: Spiced Mulled Wine with a Cocktailored Twist
Glögg is Sweden's spiced mulled wine, often served around Christmas with raisins and almonds. Our version starts with cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. The Cocktailored twist? Optional rum, Licor 43 and Cointreau for extra vanilla and orange notes.
Ingredients
- 750 ml red wine
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 12 whole cloves
- 12 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 50 ml granulated sugar, measured by volume
- 100 ml water
- 100 ml rum, vodka or brandy, optional
- 50 ml Licor 43, optional
- 50 ml Cointreau, optional
- Raisins and almonds, to serve
How to make Swedish glögg
- Put the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat.
- Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Simmer gently for 5–6 minutes, keeping enough liquid in the pan.
- Strain the spiced syrup into a pot and add the red wine. Heat gently until hot, without boiling.
- Remove from the heat. Stir in your chosen spirit and either or both liqueurs, if using. Taste before adding more sweetness: the liqueurs also add sugar.
- Serve warm in small heatproof glasses or cups, with raisins and almonds on the side or in the glass.
Make it your own
Prefer a wine-only glögg? Leave out the spirit and liqueurs; the cinnamon, cloves and cardamom still provide plenty of character. Scale all ingredients together if you are making a larger batch.
For a cold festive cocktail, try our Christmas Negroni with spiced gin. Looking for something to bring to the host? Explore our Christmas gifts for cocktail and wine lovers.
