Glogg

This year, whatever you do, please spare your guests from having to drink eggnog, that ubiquitous, sickeningly sweet holiday glop. Instead, serve them something deliciously unique. We speak, of course, of glogg, the traditional (strong!) spiced beverage of Scandinavian origins. Not only does a good glass of glogg get the party started, but cooking it fills the whole house with an inviting aroma. For this recipe, I suggest using Zodiac vodka, a new product distributed by a company with Dallas ties. Zodiac is potato vodka that is rock crystal and birch charcoal filtered for premium smoothness.

Ingredients

1.5 cups red wine
1.5 cups ruby port wine
1 cup premium Zodiac vodka
6 pods green cardamom
5 whole cloves
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
2 cinnamon sticks
2 ounces slivered almonds
1.5 teaspoons raisins

Combine wine, port, and Zodiac vodka in a non-reactive pot. Add cardamom, cloves, orange peel, and cinnamon, and gently warm (do not boil) over low heat. Allow to steep for at least 20 minutes (longer is better). Serve in heat-proof glasses, sprinkled with almonds and raisins. Drink in small quantities. Prep time: approximately 5 minutes. Cook time: approximately 20 minutes. Makes 8 servings.