How to Prepare Glögi Tea: A Spiced Christmas Tradition

Glögi is the heart of Finnish Christmas—a warm, spiced drink that fills homes with the aroma of cloves, cardamom, and orange. Traditionally made with red wine or berry juice, glögi has evolved into a comforting tea version that is just as festive. At Nordqvist Tea, we embrace this Scandinavian tradition and show you how to prepare glögi tea using high-quality loose leaf teas. Whether you prefer a caffeine-free rooibos base or a bold black tea, this recipe is simple, customisable, and perfect for winter gatherings.

In this guide, you'll learn the essential ingredients, the classic preparation method, and creative variations to suit your taste. We'll also share tips on choosing the best tea base—from our Gingerbread Rooibos 80 g (already packed with holiday spices) to a neutral Africa Rooibos that lets you create your own spice blend. Let's bring Finnish hygge to your teacup.

What Is Glögi Tea?

Glögi tea is a Nordic take on the traditional mulled drink. Instead of wine or juice, it uses brewed tea as the foundation, infused with classic holiday spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and dried orange peel. A touch of sweetener—sugar, honey, or agave—and optional dried fruits (raisins, figs) complete the experience. The result is a warming, aromatic beverage that captures the essence of a Scandinavian Christmas without alcohol.

Because tea is the star, the quality of your leaves matters. Nordqvist offers several blends that work beautifully. For a ready-to-brew option, our Gingerbread Rooibos 80 g combines rooibos with gingerbread spices—perfect for instant glögi. If you prefer a traditional black tea base, try CLASSIC Ceylon FBOP 80 g, whose brisk, bright character balances the heavy spices. The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless.

• Glögi tea is alcohol-free and family-friendly.
• Use loose leaf tea for the best flavour and aroma.
• Spices can be adjusted to your preference—start with classic mulling spices.

Ingredients for Basic Glögi Tea

To make two cups of glögi tea (about 500 ml), you will need: 2 teaspoons of your chosen tea (e.g., Gingerbread Rooibos 80 g or Africa Rooibos), 500 ml of water, 2 whole cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 cardamom pods (lightly crushed), 2 thin slices of dried orange (or fresh orange peel), and 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar. Optional: a few raisins and slivered almonds for garnish, plus a splash of non-alcoholic mulled wine syrup if you want extra depth.

For a black tea version, use 2 teaspoons of CLASSIC Ceylon FBOP 80 g. The robust flavour stands up well to strong spices. If you prefer a caffeine-free option, rooibos is naturally sweet and mild—our Africa Rooibos is an organic, single-origin rooibos that pairs beautifully with citrus and cloves. Both bases create a glögi that is uniquely your own.

• Always use fresh spices—ground spices can make the tea cloudy.
• Honey complements the rooibos base especially well.
• Dried orange peel is traditional; fresh peel adds a sharper note.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Bring 500 ml of water to a gentle boil. While the water heats, place your tea leaves and spices (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, orange) into a teapot or a heatproof pitcher. If using a full blend like Gingerbread Rooibos 80 g, you may not need extra spices—check the ingredient list and adjust. Step 2: Pour the hot water over the leaves and spices. Cover and let steep for 5–7 minutes for rooibos, or 3–4 minutes for black tea. Rooibos can steep longer without becoming bitter.

Step 3: Strain the tea into cups or a warmed serving pot. Stir in honey or sugar until dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice level. Step 4: Garnish with a few raisins and slivered almonds in each cup—this is the classic Finnish presentation. For an extra festive touch, serve with a cinnamon stick stirrer. Enjoy your glögi tea while hot, ideally by the fireplace or with a handful of gingerbread cookies.

• Steeping time: rooibos 5-7 min, black tea 3-4 min.
• Strain thoroughly to avoid bits of spice in your cup.
• Raisins and almonds are traditional—they soften in the tea.

Creative Variations to Try

Once you master the basic glögi tea, experiment with different tea bases. For a berry twist, replace half the water with unsweetened lingonberry or cranberry juice and reduce the sweetener. The tartness contrasts beautifully with the spices. Another idea: add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a vanilla pod while steeping for a creamier profile. You can also try a green tea version—but keep the steeping time short to avoid bitterness.

For a truly Scandinavian experience, try our Premium Earl Grey 800 g. The bergamot adds a citrusy lift that mimics the orange peel, and the black tea provides a robust foundation. Alternatively, for a caffeine-free option that's already spiced, our Gingerbread Rooibos 80 g is phenomenal—just add a slice of orange and a dash of honey. The gingerbread notes blend seamlessly with the traditional glögi spices, saving you prep time.

• Juice substitution: use lingonberry, cranberry, or pomegranate.
• Add a star anise for extra licorice warmth.
• Make a batch and store in a thermos for Christmas markets or hikes.

Tips for the Perfect Cup

Use filtered water for the cleanest taste. Hard water can dull the flavours of both tea and spices. If you're making a large batch for guests, double the quantities and steep everything in a large pot—then keep warm on the stove at a low simmer. Do not boil the tea after steeping, as it will extract bitter compounds. For a non-caffeinated version that children can enjoy, rooibos is ideal. Our Africa Rooibos is a single-origin tea with a naturally sweet and smooth character that pairs perfectly with the warm spices.

Finally, presentation matters. Serve glögi tea in clear glass mugs to show off the amber colour, and place a teaspoon of raisins and almonds in each cup before pouring. The dried fruit will plump up and become juicy. Pair with classic Finnish Christmas treats like piparkakut (gingerbread cookies) or pulla (cardamom buns). With the right tea and a little love, your glögi tea will become a holiday tradition your family looks forward to every year.

• Avoid boiling the tea after steeping to keep flavours bright.
• Prepare the spice blend in advance to save time.
• For a stronger spice flavour, gently toast spices in a dry pan before adding water.

Now you have everything you need to craft a warming cup of glögi tea that captures the spirit of a Nordic Christmas. Whether you choose the convenience of our Gingerbread Rooibos 80 g or the classic purity of Africa Rooibos, each sip will bring comfort and joy. Gather your favourite mug, invite friends over, and start a new holiday tradition with Nordqvist Tea.