Glögg - A Nordic Christmas Drink with a Greek Twist!
Ingredients
1 cup dark brown sugar
½ - 1 cup Greek brandy – to taste
1 whole orange with peel - thinly sliced
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cardamom
10 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
¼ - ½ cup Greek Mavrodaphne wine – to taste
2 - 3 bottles red wine - to taste
Preparation Method
In a large pot, over low heat, melt sugar in brandy. Add orange slices, ginger, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon sticks and bring to boil. Lower heat and add the Mavrodaphne wine and 1 bottle of red wine. Mix carefully and let simmer for 2 - 3 minutes. Do not boil!
Remove pot from stove and keep the wine mixture overnight at room temperature.
The following day, add 1 - 2 bottles of red wine (to taste) and heat thoroughly.
Remove pot from stove, strain and pour warm Glögg into mugs or glass tea cups or into a pot to hold warm.
Serve with raisins, whole almonds, gingerbread cookies and saffron buns (optional).
Yield: Enough for 18 - 20 persons!
This is quite a large recipe but I always make it and store it in the refrigerator to have whenever I like over the holiday period.
Glögg is also a great Christmas gift. Pour into fun bottles with sturdy corks and give it along with raisins, almonds and Christmas cookies! Everything you need for a Glögg Party or a cosy evening at home!
