Gløgg (Danish Mulled Wine) #ChristmasSweetsWeek #DrinkforJoy #Joyjolt #Sponsored

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of JoyJolt and Dixie Crystals, #ChristmasSweetsWeek sponsors. 

I received complimentary product for the purpose of review and recipe development, but all opinions are honest and 

they are my own. This page may contain affiliate links.
This recipe is intended for individuals ages 21 & up. Please drink responsibly.

Welcome to the first day of #ChristmasSweetsWeek! Much gratitude to Terri of Love and Confections and Christie of A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures for coordinating this amazing event. Not only did they keep all of us bloggers organized, but they lined up some great sponsors. Please visit my kick-off post for information about the prizes and to enter the giveaway. You may also enter at the bottom of this post.

One of the #ChristmasSweetsWeek sponsors - Joyjolt* - sent me these double-walled mugs that I knew would be perfect for a hot holiday drink. While I adore the design - because they are quirky and fun - the glasses are thinner and more fragile than I would like for everyday use. So, these will be put away for special occasions. But they are lovely.

From drinks to desserts, here's what the other bloggers are posting today...

Beverages

• Brownie Batter Hot Chocolate Mix from The Spiffy Cookie
• Christmas Flip from Our Good Life
• Easy Cranberry Orange Madras from Love and Confections
• Gløgg from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Grinch Cocoa with Peppermint Marshmallows from Kate's Recipe Box
• Salted Caramel Toffee Martini from Family Around the Table
• Sparkling Snowfall Cocktail from Seduction in the Kitchen
• Sugar Cookie Martini from The Redhead Baker

Breakfast

• Christmas Cranberry Bread from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree from Jonesin' For Taste
• Overnight Caramel French Toast from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Candies

• Cherry Mash Truffles from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Chocolate Covered Orange Cheesecake Truffles from Cooking with Carlee 
• Dark Chocolate Cherry & Peppermint Snowflake Bark from Sweet Beginnings
• Grinch Fudge Topped Brownies from Big Bear's Wife
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake Fudge from Lady Behind the Curtain
• Red Velvet Fudge from Live Love Texas

Desserts

• Black Forest Tiramisu Parfait from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Chocolate Bundt Cake from Juggling Act Mama
• Chocolate Eggnog Cupcakes from The Crumby Kitchen
• Christmas Chocolate Chip Sprinkles Butter Cookies from Moore or Less Cooking
• Cookie Butter Pudding Cups from The Beard and The Baker
• Cranberry Almond Ecstasy Bars from Tip Garden
• Date Filled Cookies from Platter Talk
• Easy Snickerdoodle Cake from Daily Dish Recipes
• Eggnog Blossom Cookies from Blogghetti
• Eggnog Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Gingerbread Cheesecake Trifle from My Suburban Kitchen
• Gingerbread Cupcakes with Eggnog Buttercream from Tara's Multicultural Table
• Glazed Gingerbread Loaf from 4 Sons 'R' Us
• Marbled Star Cookies from Eat Move Make
• Mint Chip Cookies from The Mandatory Mooch
• No Bake Peppermint Eggnog Pie from Who Needs A Cape?
• Peppermint Shortbread from Cheese Curd in Paradise
• Pepper Jelly Rugelach from Take Two Tapas
• Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from April Golightly 
• Sugar Cookie Cheesecake from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
• Toffee Thumbprint Cookies from The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Ugly Sweater Cake from Mildly Meandering
• Vanilla Yogurt Mousse with Cinnamon Apples from With Two Spoons
• Vegan Hot Chocolate Layer Cake from The Baking Fairy
• Winter Wonderland Snack Mix from An Affair from the Heart

Gløgg 

Danish Mulled Wine

Whether you call this Gløgg (Danish and Norwegian) or Glögg (Swedish), this Scandinavian mulled wine is warming, delicious, and easily made ahead of time which makes it just perfect for festive parties. There are almost as many variations on this as there are Scandinavians, probably. But the one I like the best includes Aquavit which is a clear, grain-based alcohol that's been infused with seeds and spices. This version that I found is made with caraway seeds and star anise; its scent is spicy and alluring.

Ingredients

• 1/2 C raisins + more for garnish
• 1 C Aquavit (you can substitute with brandy or vodka, if you prefer)
• 1 bottle of red wine, 750 ml
• 2 C port wine (I used 10-year aged tawny port)
• 1 C water
• 1/2 C granulated sugar
• 3 to 4 cinnamon sticks + more for garnish
• 5 to 6 whole cloves
• 4 cardamom pods, cracked open
• 1/2 t allspice berries
• 1/2 t juniper berries
• 3 to 4 pieces candied ginger
• peel from 1 organic lemon (I used a Meyer lemon) + more for garnish
• blanched silvered almonds, for garnish
• fresh cranberries, for garnish

Procedure

Place 1/2 C raisins in a glass bowl. Pour in 1 C aquavit. Let soak for 30 minutes.

Add 1/2 C sugar to a large pot and stir in 1 C water. Heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and add cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, allspice, juniper, candied ginger, and lemon peel. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Pour in the aquavit-raisin mixture and the red wine. Add in the port. Bring everything to a simmer but do not let it boil! Adjust seasoning and sweetness to taste.

To serve, strain the Gløgg to remove the spices. Place a pinch of raisins and slivered almonds in the bottom of your serving glass. Pour in the heated Gløgg. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a cocktail pick with fresh cranberries and lemon peel. Serve immediately. Skål!

Note: Gløgg can be made a day ahead and kept covered at room temperature. Simply reheat before serving. But, again, don't let it boil.

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ChristmasSweetsWeek products 

included in this recipe...

You may find Dixie Crystals on the web, 

on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

You may find Joyjolt on the web, 

on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

*DISCLAIMER: This recipe is intended for individuals ages 21 & up. Please drink responsibly. Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.