Bestemor’s Gløgg
Description/my story:
Naomi's father moved to America from Norway with his mother when he was twelve years old. Growing up, Norwegian traditions were very important to my family around the holidays. One of those traditions was making gløgg. My Bestemor (Grandmother) would make it every Christmas. Gløgg is a Norwegian mulled wine spiked with aquavit. If you cannot get your hands on a bottle of aquavit, vodka will be a good substitution. This drink reminds me of the holidays and the people I love. It also reminds me of my roots and where I come from. It is warming, delicious and cozy, and it is best enjoyed before your Christmas meal with good family and friends.
Total time – 30 minutes. 15 minutes prep, 15 minutes to make. *Allow time for at least a 24-hour waiting period while the starter infuses. *
Yield – 6 servings
Ingredients:
For the starter:
1 cup aquavit
½ cup sugar
½ cup raisins
5 whole Spicewalla black cardamom pods
5 whole Spicewalla cloves
5 whole Spicewalla cinnamon stick
1 thumb sized piece fresh ginger
For the Gløgg:
Your starter
1 bottle red wine
Toasted almonds
Preparation:
For the starter:
- Combine the sugar, raisins, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks, peeled ginger, and aquavit in a medium sized pot.
- Heat the mixture uncovered on low heat for 5 – 10 minutes, stirring to dissolve the sugar. DO NOT allow the mixture to boil.
- Remove the mixture from the stove and transfer it to a bowl.
- Cover the mixture and allow it to sit for at least 24 hours (the longer the better).
- After at least 24 hours, uncover and strain the mixture to remove the raisins, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger.
For the Gløgg:
- Combine your starter with one bottle of red wine in a medium sized pot.
- Heat the mixture on medium heat for about 10. DO NOT allow the mixture to boil.
- Once the mixture is hot, take the gløgg off the heat, or turn the heat to low if you are not serving it all at once.
- To serve, ladle into mugs and sprinkle some toasted almonds into the mugs.
- Enjoy!