Finnish Christmas Mulled Wine (Jouluglögi)
A traditional Finnish Christmas mulled drink made by gently simmering berry juices with warm spices, citrus, and fresh ginger. This cozy, non-alcoholic glögi is festive, aromatic, and perfect for serving hot with raisins and almonds.
Ingredients
Glögi:
- 1 liter water
- 1.5 dl lingonberry juice concentrate
- 1.5 dl blackcurrant juice concentrate
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tsp cardamom
- 3 tsp grated orange zest
- Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger sliced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar optional, add if the juice concentrates are unsweetened
For Serving:
- Whole almonds
- Raisins
Instructions
- Grate the orange zest or peel into thin strips with a knife.
- Peel and slice the ginger.
- Lightly crush the cloves and cardamom in a mortar to release more flavor.
- Add all the spices, orange zest, water, and juice concentrates to a saucepan.
- Simmer gently with the lid on for about 15 minutes.
- Taste and add brown sugar if needed.
- Strain and serve hot with whole almonds and raisins.
Notes
You can adjust the berry juice to suit your preference. I often use a 50/50 mix of lingonberry and blackcurrant concentrate diluted with water.
Cranberries or redcurrants also make delicious glögi.
Adjust the sweetness to taste depending on the juice concentrates you use.
For a stronger flavor, let the spices steep in the glögi for an extra 10–15 minutes off the heat.