Glogg: Sweden's Holiday Drink to Warm the Soul

Glogg, the hot, spiced red wine beverage, has long been a holiday favorite in Sweden.  It's quite special and festive and fun to drink slowly, particularly if it's cold out.  Each family has their own favorite ratio of red wine, port, aquavit or brandy, orange, spices, almonds, and raisins, but here's mine.  Enjoy!

Glogg

4 cups dry red wine
4 cups port
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
10 cardamom pods that have been crushed to expose the seeds
1 navel orange cut in half and then sliced
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup whole blanched almonds
2 cups brandy or acquavit

Place all the spices in a cheesecloth and tie it off to make a little bundle. Combine the port, red wine, spices, orange slices, raisins, and almonds in a large saucepan.  Heat the mixture to just below boiling and simmer over a low flame for 1/2 hour. Just before serving, add the brandy or acquavit. Use a ladel and pour the glogg into individual mugs through a small strainer. I like to put an orange slice in each. Heat resistent glass mugs look great if you have them.