Christmas Time is Here

With Christmas just around the corner, everyone is either hosting or attending parties. Whether you are the host or the attendee, the same dilemma usually ensues. "What dish do I make?" One of the things I love most about the holidays is the food, but I have found it to be true is that no matter how delicious the food, people will always enjoy it just a little more with a really good cocktail.

So, this year, instead of agonizing over the food why not be the one to fill people's cups with cheer? There are several options whether warm or cold of drinks that are excellent for entertaining and deliciously fun. This week I will be talking about the Christmas cocktail. I will provide you with three of my favorite recipes that I've tweaked or created. So here to get us started is number 1 of 3.

Glögg Mulled wine is one of the most traditional Christmas beverages. Even though it has not been fortunate enough to find it's name in a song, it's popularity as a winter cocktail has spanned centuries and is as renown as the famous Wassail and Hot Toddy.

If you were to look for a recipe for Glögg on the internet you would find a slew of them. I have been playing with my own recipe for a while and I love this version of it the best by far.

Kristen's Glögg:
yield 12 servings
2 Bottles Inexpensive Red Wine
2 Cups Spiced Rum
1 Cup Light Rum (Optional substitute Brandy, I have done both but prefer Rum) 
1 Cup of Tripple Sec (Substitute 1/2 cup of sugar if you don't have tripple sec)
2 Oranges 2 Tbsp Whole Cloves
1 Tbsp Whole Allspice
5-7 Cinnamon sticks (plus 12 for garnish optional)

In a large pan combine the wine and 1 cup of the spiced rum. Poke the cloves into the oranges so that they look like spiked balls and add to the pot. Add allspice and cinnamon sticks. Turn on the heat to medium-high. Cook for about 10 minutes until steam starts to rise or until liquid reaches 160* F. Reduce to medium-low heat and cover for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Add all remaining ingredients, then cover for another 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy! Glögg is a scandinavian specialty, this is sometimes referred to as Mulled Wine or the German Glühwein. However you pronounce it and whatever you decide to add to it, hot spiced wine is one of my favorite cozy Christmas party beverages. It is not only economical to serve to several guests, but it is also easy to make.