Christmas cocktail recipe: The Glögg by The Old Man's Lucas Fialin

Hot drinks are easily one of the best things about the arrival of winter, and a spiked hot drink goes down quickly during cold holidays. Lucas Fialin, head bartender at award-winning The Old Man, shares his twist to the classic Nordic winter drink, Glögg. Glögg is a spiced mulled wine or spirit usually made of fortified wine, jazzed up with citrus, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, and other spices. Lucas' rendition is inspired by his non-existent relationship with Santa Claus from his childhood, and his recipe may be prepared with or without alcohol so kids or teetotalers can enjoy a cup.   

"As a child, I have sent many letters to Santa Claus," shares Lucas. "I would tell him how nice I have been during the year. That I behaved as a good and cooperative kid and therefore, I deserve, I claim the right to have nice gifts," he enthuses. "Unfortunately, after countless letters sent to his address and many expensive phone calls to his direct line throughout many years, I gave up! This fat bastard never answered me," he jokes. 

When he was around 10 years old, together with his family, they visited Lapland; the region is said to be the home of Santa Claus. "In Lapland, the weather is around -15 degrees Celsius in the wintertime. They even have 'seasonal' hotels built and sculpted out of ice! You get it. It's quite cold," he shares. "During our visit, we drank a lot of warm lingonberry juice to keep me warm while the parents would drink Glögg. A kind of mulled wine based on berry juice instead of wine," he explains. "I travelled a good part of Lapland for over a month, but I found no trace of the legendary bearded guy. Yet, even though I never found Father Christmas, I grew up realising he's a good guy. I know it because I've been lucky enough to find gifts every year under the family tree," he enthuses. "Now I made peace with him and ever since when I drink mulled wine, it reminds me of the cold wind and the frostbite of the lowlands."

"This recipe is made non-alcoholic. It doesn't need alcohol to bring taste, depth, and body. What's good about this drink is that it pretty much works with all kinds of spirits – neutral, white, matured, no distinction. Any liquor already existing on your dusty shelf for years can finally be used, well, preferable not all together though," says Lucas. He says this drink is great enjoyed with a group of people – preferable the one you like – so gather your loved ones and make this recipe at home for the holiday season.