Notes from James

Adventures in Swedish Glögg

Today, after about a year, I'm trying to recreate my Swedish Glögg (spicy wintertime alcohol drink) recipe, as well as provide something for next year when I try to recreate it again. So, here's my recipe. I'll update this after I taste it so I can correct as needed.

Recipe:

• 2 Cups port wine
• 10 cloves
• 10 cardamom seeds (also added some crushed cardamom because I didn't find the seeds in time)
• Crushed orange peel
• Orange peel (since I was eating one at the time)
• Some allspice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 chunks of crystalized ginger

Combine spices and port wine, simmer on a stove for 1 hour. Make sure you turn on the correct burner.

Then, in a separate pan, combine and boil:

• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 quart (4 cups) of water

Add boiling sugar water to the mixture. Then, add:

• 1 quart of vodka (100 proof).

I only had 80 proof vodka and didn't feel like buying another bottle of vodka, so we'll see what happens with this.

Serve warm with raisins and sliced almonds in the bottom of a coffee mug.

To be continued...