Guide
Spices and flavourings for glögg
Everything from classic cinnamon sticks and cardamom to modern additions like tonka bean, cacao and hibiscus. Here's what every spice adds and which glögg styles it suits best.
Spice by spice
| Spice | Flavour | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon stick | Warm, round and classic Christmas flavour. Adds sweet spice without becoming overpowering. | All glögg styles |
| Cardamom pods | Aromatic, slightly floral and spicy flavour. Gives depth and a classic Nordic glögg character. | Classic glögg, apple glögg, white glögg |
| Whole cloves | Strong, warm and slightly peppery spice. Gives a clear Christmas scent and depth. | Red glögg, blackcurrant, cranberry |
| Dried ginger | Warmth, gentle heat and fresh spiciness. Lifts the sweetness. | All variants, especially citrus and apple |
| Bitter orange peel | Bitter citrus, depth and classic glögg flavour. Makes the taste more grown-up and balanced. | Classic glögg, julmust glögg, berry glögg |
| Star anise | Liquorice note, sweet spiciness and a distinct aroma. Gives a modern, exciting flavour. | Lemon and liquorice glögg, julmust, apple |
| Orange peel | Fruity citrus, sweetness and a round Christmas feel. Milder than bitter orange. | Red glögg, white glögg, cranberry |
| Lemon | Fresh acidity and crispness. Balances sweetness and lightens the glögg. | Lemon/liquorice, white glögg, apple glögg |
| Vanilla pod | Round, soft and sweet aroma. Makes the glögg smoother and more dessert-like. | Apple, white glögg, julmust |
| Nutmeg | Warm, nutty and slightly rich spiciness. Should be used sparingly. | Julmust, apple, classic glögg |
| Allspice | Peppery, warm and slightly hearty flavour. Gives depth and an old-fashioned character. | Classic glögg, dark berries |
| Black pepper | Light heat and a more grown-up spiciness. Can give more punch to the finish. | Red glögg, cranberry, blackcurrant |
| Long pepper | Warm, sweet and peppery with a slightly exotic feel. | Premium glögg, red glögg |
| Saffron | Floral, exclusive and festive flavour. Gives a golden colour and a luxurious note. | Apple glögg, white glögg |
| Liquorice root | Natural sweetness and a clear liquorice note. Gives depth without being as perfumed as star anise. | Lemon/liquorice, julmust |
| Juniper berries | Piney, fresh and slightly gin-like flavour. Gives a Nordic forest feel. | Cranberry, blackcurrant, red glögg |
| Rosemary | Herbal, piney and fresh flavour. Gives a modern, savoury, grown-up character. | Apple, lemon, white glögg |
| Thyme | Mild herbal note with a slightly earthy tone. Use with care. | Apple, citrus, berries |
| Bay leaf | Spicy, herbal and slightly hearty depth. Use very sparingly. | Julmust, classic glögg |
| Chili | Warmth and heat. Gives a long, spicy aftertaste. | Chocolate glögg, red glögg, cranberry |
| Cacao nibs / cocoa | Dark chocolate note, bitterness and body. | Red glögg, cherry, blackcurrant |
| Coffee | Roasted bitterness and depth. Makes the glögg darker and more grown-up. | Julmust, chocolate, dark berries |
| Tonka bean | Vanilla, almond and spicy dessert note. Very powerful, use extremely sparingly. | Premium glögg, apple, white glögg |
| Bitter almond | Almond note and a classic Christmas/liqueur feel. Use with care. | Classic glögg, white glögg |
| Dried apples | Fruity sweetness, mild acidity and a round apple character. | Apple glögg, lemon/liquorice |
| Raisins | Sweetness, body and fermentable fruitiness. Gives a rounder body. | All fermented glögg variants |
| Dried cranberries | Tart berry character and deep red fruitiness. | Cranberry glögg |
| Dried figs | Deep sweetness, honeyed note and body. | Red glögg, julmust, premium glögg |
| Dried dates | Caramel-like sweetness and a round body. | Julmust, dark glögg |
| Hibiscus | Tart, floral and gives a red colour. Adds freshness. | Cranberry, blackcurrant, alcohol-free glögg |
| Rosehip | Fruity acidity, mild berry character and a Swedish winter feel. | Apple, cranberry, red glögg |
Recommended spice combinations
Classic Swedish glögg
Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, bitter orange
Fresh apple glögg
Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, bitter orange, vanilla, dried apple
Dark berry glögg
Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bitter orange, black pepper, juniper
Lemon and liquorice glögg
Lemon, star anise, bitter orange, ginger, cardamom
Julmust glögg
Cinnamon, cloves, star anise, bitter orange, nutmeg, vanilla
Luxurious premium glögg
Cinnamon, cardamom, bitter orange, vanilla, saffron or tonka bean
Grown-up and less sweet glögg
Bitter orange, ginger, black pepper, juniper, a little rosemary