All You Need is Glugg - Glugg is All You Need...

Hot Swedish Glogg, Mulled Wine Drink, Warms The Soul

Nov 3, 2009

Learn about the traditional holiday drink, "glugg", which is a milled wine with roots in Medieval times. This popular winter beverage has been lifting spirits since 54BC.

The Glugg phenomenon is becoming popular at dinner parties, weddings, celebrations, holiday events and on romantic dates creating interesting conversations, feelings, and/or friendships across the nation.

One might ask, what is the translation of this strange yet familiar word? Well, Glugg is not the “Bah Humbug” term of the millennium or the latest “hip band” or the new slang for an “Internet junkie". On the contrary, Glugg (English for Glögg), refers to a very popular and traditional Swedish milled wine infused with a blend of mixed nuts, fruit, cloves and spices that is served warm as a staple during the cold Holiday season and on special days of celebration. Glugg is in the same spirit family as Germany’s Gluhwein (Glow Wine) and Great Britain’s Wassail, Hot Toddy and Bishop brews’.

The History of this bold beverage, Glugg, is a testament to its cross-cultural common ground and longevity.

The origin of this tasty, substantive drink can be traced back to 54 BC. In Rome, when wine making included the addition of salt, water, myrtle, juniper, honey and rose petals to be used as elixirs for good health. Similar concoctions were created by the Benedictine Monks in 1000 AD to consume on “Feast Day” for cleansing their bodies of impurities. Medieval ideology bestowed great faith in the healing and restorative properties that manifested from the unique distillation process of these medicinal drinks. Modern-day monks still imbibe these herbal remedies to aid digestive and muscular problems. In the 1400’s, French pastry chefs created their own repertoire of dishes extended beyond the typical savory pies and meat tarts to milk and egg enriched pastries. As a result, these sweet desserts required the accompaniment of the mulled wine to help absorb the heavy fats from the dairy products and satisfy the palette.

In the 1600’s, the widely accepted spirits made their debut in Sweden where they have remained a cultural custom that, to this day, has far exceeded the original purpose of only being consumed for religious events or for merely being used to warm-up from the frigid Scandinavian winters. Glugg is now universal and people commonly drink it at parties, smorgasbords, weddings, first dates, and sporting events to unite with others. In fact, the Swedes have a charming tradition of serving Glugg with an almond hidden in one glass or mug. As folklore has it, the guest who finds the almond is said to be the next to get married!

With its unifying and celebratory effects, indeed, "Glugg" is the new American trend that is quickly burgeoning into tradition.

Glugg is frequently served with an assortment of gingerbread and cinnamon confections. Watch out -this delicious beverage is a bit sneaky in its potency. You may not know at first sip how intense Glugg actually is. However, it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and has a cuddle factor of “Summa Cum Lovvy”!!!

Remember the old Beatle’s tune, "All you need is Love"? "Glugg" could easily replace “love” in this famous love song.....

HEJ! (Hello) Sägs om en kopp Glögg? (How about a cup of Glugg?)

“Don’t be smug, chug a Glugg and give someone a big hug”!

The copyright of the article All You Need is Glugg - Glugg is All You Need... in Beverage Recipes is owned by Susan Tabar. Permission to republish All You Need is Glugg - Glugg is All You Need... in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.