Mulled wine is an amazing holiday drink. With its rich spices and dark, complex aroma, a good mulled wine chases the December chill right out of your bones. It’s the perfect beverage to sip with good friends by a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night.
I recently had the chance to taste a new mulled wine: Hetta, a traditional Nordic-style glögg. Of course I fell in love right away! And to be able to buy a deliciously brewed Glogg ready made – well that is pretty sweet! With that said I couldn’t resist the idea of glögg parties for the Holidays – As Hetta’s official website describes them:
Glögg parties are a great non-denominational excuse to celebrate, especially as winter sets in. Traditionally the parties take place in the late afternoon or early evening. Guests are served mugs of warm glögg and plates of Pepparkakor (Ginger Cookies). The humble affairs normally involve a few hours of good conversation and laughter, but not always…
If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to entertain a few of your favorite people this holiday season, I can’t think of anything better than a glögg party! And while you’re at it, consider incorporating these Scandinavian Christmas traditions into your celebrations:
– In Denmark, there’s a mischievous prankster elf who only comes out at Christmastime. Very early/late April Fools, anyone?
– In Finland, it’s customary to visit a sauna on Christmas Eve. Now that’s my kind of tradition.
– In Iceland, instead of coal, Santa leaves naughty kids a potato! If you’re bad enough, at least you can cook up some fresh Christmas french fries…
– Back to Finland: Christmas Eve lunch includes a special porridge with a single almond baked in. The finder of the almond has to sing a song to entertain the other guests. Better make sure everyone’s had plenty of glögg first!
– Sweden plays the almond porridge game too, except the finder gets to make a wish. And parents will love this Swedish yuletide tradition: in honor of St. Lucia, the eldest daughter serves her parents buns and coffee… or mulled wine!
This year, Hetta Glögg will definitely be playing a role in my celebrations. But maybe next year it’ll be Christmas in Scandinavia. Who knows?
