Swedish Glögg: Spiced Scandinavian Christmas Wine

Swedish glögg is the warm, spiced wine that fills Scandinavian homes every December. It is richer than ordinary mulled wine, made with red wine, a splash of port, and a little vodka or brandy, then simmered with orange peel, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Every cup gets a spoonful of blanched almonds and raisins, which soak up the wine and become a sweet little treat at the bottom.

The secret is letting the spices steep. A short warm simmer and an hour of resting gives you deep, layered flavor without boiling away the alcohol. Your whole house will smell like Christmas.

Serve it with pfeffernusse cookies, German gingerbread cookies, or a slice of stollen.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Swedish Glögg
• What Is Swedish Glögg?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Swedish Glögg
• Expert Tips for Perfect Swedish Glögg
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Swedish Glögg
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Swedish Glögg

This is the coziest drink you can make for a cold winter night.

Deep Spiced Flavor

Cardamom and orange make it different from regular mulled wine.

Fun Toppings

Almonds and raisins in every cup are a Swedish tradition.

Make-Ahead

It tastes even better the next day.

Great for a Crowd

One pot serves 8.

Smells Amazing

Better than any holiday candle.

What Is Swedish Glögg?

Glögg is the Scandinavian version of mulled wine, enjoyed in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland from Advent through Christmas.

Swedish glögg is usually stronger and sweeter than German glühwein, because it often includes port and a splash of vodka or aquavit along with the red wine.

It is traditionally served in small cups with a little spoon for the almonds and raisins, alongside gingersnaps called pepparkakor and saffron buns called lussekatter on St. Lucia Day, December 13.

Ingredients

Spice Base

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Orange, peel in strips and juiced	1	Citrus
Green cardamom pods, lightly crushed	10	Signature flavor
Cinnamon sticks	2	Warmth
Whole cloves	8	Depth
Star anise	2	Sweet licorice note
Fresh ginger, sliced	1 inch	Gentle heat
Granulated sugar	½ cup	Sweetness

Wine

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Dry, fruity red wine	1 bottle (750 ml)	Base
Ruby port	1 cup	Richness
Vodka or brandy	½ cup	Warmth and strength

To Serve

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Blanched almonds	½ cup	Traditional garnish
Raisins	½ cup	Traditional garnish

Kitchen Equipment

• Large heavy pot
• Fine-mesh strainer
• Ladle
• Heatproof mugs or small cups
• Small spoons

Ingredient Tips

Choose a Fruity Wine

Merlot, Zinfandel, or Garnacha work well. Avoid expensive or very tannic wines.

Crack the Cardamom

Crushing the pods releases the seeds and flavor.

Whole Spices Only

Ground spices make the glögg muddy.

Ruby Port

It adds sweetness and a deep berry color.

Plump the Raisins

Soak raisins in a little warm glögg before serving.

How to Make Swedish Glögg

Step 1: Make the Spice Syrup

In a large pot, combine 1 cup of the red wine with the orange peel, orange juice, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, ginger, and sugar.

Step 2: Simmer Gently

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer 10 minutes to extract the spices.

Step 3: Add the Rest

Pour in the remaining wine, the port, and the vodka or brandy. Warm over low heat until steaming, about 10 minutes. Do not boil.

Step 4: Steep

Turn off the heat, cover, and let the glögg steep for at least 1 hour, or overnight in the fridge for best flavor.

Step 5: Strain

Strain out the spices and peel.

Step 6: Reheat and Serve

Gently reheat until hot but not boiling. Place a few almonds and raisins in each cup and ladle the glögg over them. Serve with small spoons.

Expert Tips for Perfect Swedish Glögg

Never Boil

Boiling cooks off alcohol and makes the spices bitter.

Steep Longer

Overnight steeping gives the best flavor.

Taste for Sweetness

Add more sugar if your wine is dry.

Keep Warm in a Slow Cooker

Set it on low or warm for a party.

Small Cups

Glögg is strong, so serve it in small portions.

Delicious Variations

Non-Alcoholic Glögg

Use a mix of grape juice, blackcurrant juice, and apple cider.

White Glögg

Use white wine and white port with the same spices.

Aquavit

Swap vodka for aquavit for a Nordic caraway note.

Slow Cooker

Combine everything and warm on low 2 hours.

Extra Fruity

Add dried figs and orange slices.

What to Serve with Swedish Glögg

Serve glögg in small mugs with gingersnaps, saffron buns, or pecan tassies.

It is a perfect welcome drink for a holiday open house or tree-trimming party.

Pair it with savory snacks like cheese straws and a cheese board.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator	5 days	Strained, in a sealed bottle
Freezer	3 months	Freezer-safe container, leave space
Slow Cooker on Warm	4 hours	Lid on

Strain glögg before storing so the spices do not turn bitter.

Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave; do not boil.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Make the glögg 1 to 3 days ahead; the flavor improves as it rests.

Reheat gently just before guests arrive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Boiling the Wine

It tastes harsh and loses alcohol.

Using Ground Spices

The drink turns gritty and cloudy.

Expensive Wine

Spices cover it up, so save your money.

Not Steeping

The flavor stays thin.

Leaving Spices In Too Long

Cloves get bitter after a day.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	240
Carbohydrates	24g
Protein	2g
Fat	3g
Saturated Fat	0g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	19g
Sodium	10mg
Cholesterol	0mg

Estimate per serving including almonds and raisins, based on 8 servings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Swedish glögg is warm, sweet, deeply spiced, and full of tradition. It is the perfect drink to share on a long, dark winter evening.

Make a pot this December, set out some gingersnaps, and enjoy a little Scandinavian Christmas at home.

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