What is the obsession with Glögg that we Scandinavians seem to have?
It gets really cold – and Glögg (that’s Swedish – in Norway it’s called Gløgg, in Danish it’s Gløg and in Finnish, Glöggi) is just such a wonderful warming drink when the frost is biting at your nose. Also, it’s often an instant ‘festive feeling’ generator – there is just something about cinnamon, ginger, cloves and cardamom that says ‘Christmas is here’.
Essentially, it’s the Nordic version of mulled wine – except we use slightly different spices. The main ones in the traditional versions would usually contain cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and bitter orange peel. There are both alcoholic versions and non-alcoholic versions – and across the Nordics, a gazillion different recipes both to buy and made by different families. Red wine, white wine, with cognac, with other spirits – and some just using apple.
We stock several extracts and spice mixes for you to make your own at home – and also a lovely non-alcoholic version from Saturnus.
At ScandiKitchen we have chosen to import one main brand, which is the absolute favourite in Sweden. It is called Blossa. We stock the 10% red wine Blossa (in the 70cl bottle and also in a handy bag-in-box version containing several litres – very handy, as you can heat up cup by cup and you need it.
Serve traditional glögg warm – not hot (or the alcohol evaporates, and people burn their tongues) – in small glasses with a spoonful of raisins and flaked almonds.
We also stock the annual Blossa. Every year, the chief blender of Blossa makes a new version and the flavour is announced end of September.
For 2022, the flavour inspiration is New Orleans:
In the lively French Quarter you find the bar Pat O’Brien’s, where the Hurricane drink was created in the 1940s. At that time, the availability of spirits was limited and it was necessary to invent a drink that could be made from the less popular local rum. The drink became a bestseller in the city and still is today. In addition to rum, it contains lime and fascinola, which is a type of red syrup made from various fruits, berries and sugar.
There is an interesting mix of influences in New Orleans that Blossa 22 has combined. With Hurricane as the main inspiration, the mulled wine is flavoured with rum, lime and their own version of fasionola, with passion fruit, strawberry and blueberry. Inspired by the food culture, Blossa also added extracts of chili and smoked paprika. A nice harmony with the classic mulled spices, several of which are often found in the food served in New Orleans.
Serving tips for Blossa 22:
As a glogg mulled wine, Blossa 22 can be heated, preferably served in a larger cup topped with raisins.
You can also serve Blossa 22 as the Hurricane drink – refreshingly cold in a large glass with lots of ice, decorated with an orange slice.
Blossa 22 stock is ein stock NOW – grab some before stock runs out (it always sells out before the big day).
Image source below: Blossa.se
