Around the world
Glögg Around the World
Swedish glögg is part of a much larger family of warm, spiced winter drinks. Glühwein, mulled wine, vin chaud, vin brulé, gløgg and wassail all share the same basic idea – wine, cider or a fruit base warmed with spices and sweetness.
Glühwein
Germany & Austria
The German-speaking counterpart to glögg, strongly associated with German and Austrian Christmas markets. Also comes as white Glühwein and Glühwein mit Schuss, spiked with rum, brandy or amaretto.
- Base:
- Red or white wine
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, cloves, orange, star anise
- Serving:
- Hot in a mug, often at Christmas markets
Mulled wine
UK & USA
The English-speaking version of glögg. "Mulled" roughly means something warmed and spiced. Usually sweetened with honey or maple syrup and sometimes spiked with brandy, rum or port.
- Base:
- Red wine
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, orange, allspice
- Serving:
- Hot, often with citrus
Mulled cider
UK & North America
An alcohol-free or low-alcohol relative of glögg and mulled wine, built on apples instead of wine. Can be spiked with rum, bourbon, brandy or whisky.
- Base:
- Apple cider or apple juice
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, orange
- Serving:
- Hot, alcohol-free or spiked
Vin chaud
France
The winter warmer of the French Alps. Vin chaud is usually a little lighter and less sweet than Swedish glögg.
- Base:
- Red wine
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, cloves, citrus
- Serving:
- Hot, at Christmas markets or ski resorts
Vin brulé
Italy
The Italian mountains' equivalent. The name roughly means "burnt wine", even though the drink is normally just gently heated.
- Base:
- Red wine
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, cloves, citrus
- Serving:
- Hot, especially in northern Italy
Gløgg & glögi
Denmark, Norway & Finland
Close relatives of Swedish glögg, with the same spice profile and way of serving. Just as central to the neighbouring countries' Christmas celebrations.
- Base:
- Wine or an alcohol-free base
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, orange
- Serving:
- Hot, with raisins and almonds
Wassail
England
Both a drink and an old English winter tradition. In apple-growing parts of England you'll find orchard wassailing, where people gather among the fruit trees and sing to them.
- Base:
- Cider, ale or wine
- Spices:
- Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, apple
- Serving:
- Hot, tied to singing and harvest
Same idea, different character
Cinnamon, cloves, citrus and ginger appear in nearly every country's version, but each tradition has its own character. Swedish glögg is often sweeter and fuller, and is happily served with raisins and almonds. Glühwein is strongly tied to Christmas markets, mulled wine is common in English-speaking countries, and mulled cider is built on apples instead. Whatever it's called, the drink serves the same purpose: it warms you through the winter darkness and fills the air with the scent of the season.