How to Host a Scandinavian Glögg Party: Drinks, Snacks, and Hosting Tips

December in Scandinavia may be dark and cold, but it's also one of the coziest times of the year. This is when friends and family gather together for a warm and welcome cup of Swedish glögg, the classic Scandinavian mulled wine scented with spices, citrus, and just a hint of sweetness.

In Sweden and across the Nordic region, hosting a glögg party is a beloved December tradition. This gathering is all about creating warmth in the darkest month of the year - good friends, glowing candles, and a pot of fragrant glögg simmering on the stove.

Hosting a glögg party is simple, festive, and wonderfully low-key. Below, you'll find an easy menu, hosting tips, and ideas for what to serve with glögg so you can create your own cozy Nordic celebration.

Glögg (pronounced glug) is the traditional Scandinavian version of mulled wine - a warm, spiced drink enjoyed throughout December in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. It's typically made by gently heating red wine with warming spices (like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger), orange peel, sugar, and sometimes a splash of spirit such as aquavit or brandy.

Unlike many European mulled wines, glögg often includes raisins and blanched almonds added to each cup, which soften slightly as they warm. Served in small mugs with a spoon for gathering the softened raisins and almonds, glögg is cozy, aromatic, and an essential part of Nordic holiday gatherings.

What Is a Glögg Party?

A glögg party is a beloved Scandinavian holiday tradition centered around enjoying this iconic beverage with family and friends. It's an easy, laid-back gathering, usually held in the afternoon, where friends stop by for a warm cup of glögg and a small selection of festive treats.

Because glögg is rich and served in small cups, a glögg party is typically more of a casual open house than a full meal. Guests come and go, nibbling on cookies, nuts, or simple savory bites while chatting by candlelight. In Scandinavia, it's common to attend multiple glögg parties in a single weekend, which makes these gatherings intentionally low-effort and wonderfully welcoming.

What You Need to Host a Glögg Party

Hosting a glögg party is simple, which is part of its charm. With just a few essentials, you can create a warm, welcoming Nordic-inspired gathering:

1. A Pot of Warm Glögg: Use your favorite glögg recipe (see links below for my recipes) Keep it warm on the stovetop or in a slow cooker so guests can serve themselves throughout the afternoon.
2. Garnishes: Orange or clementine slices, cinnamon sticks, blanched slivered almonds and raisins (dark or golden) are traditional garnishes to serve with glögg.
3. Small Cups or Mugs: Glögg is traditionally served in small heatproof cups. Its flavor is rich, and guests often enjoy more than one small pour.
4. Spoons: If you serve your glögg with blanched almonds and raisins, you'll want to have spoons available so your guests can scoop these goodies up from the bottom of their drink and enjoy them.
5. A Few Tasty Treats: A glögg party doesn't require a full menu. Choose 2-4 simple items (see the list below for ideas) and you'll be all set.
6. A Cozy, Hygge-Filled Atmosphere: Think candlelight, evergreen branches, a holiday playlist and warm, soft lighting.

What to Serve at a Glögg Party

In addition to the glögg itself, offer a small selection of sweet treats and a couple of savory bites, just enough to complement the warm, spiced flavor of the glögg. Choose 2-4 items total, depending on the size of your gathering.

Glögg

Sweet Treats That Pair Well With Glögg

Savory Snacks for a Glögg Party

Hosting a glögg party is one of the simplest and most joyful ways to bring Scandinavian holiday traditions into your home during the holiday season. With a warm pot of spiced mulled wine, a small spread of festive treats, and a few cozy touches like candlelight and evergreen branches, you can create a gathering that feels relaxed, welcoming, and wonderfully hygge. Skål!