TYPES OF MULLED WINE

■ Depending on the country of origin, mulled wine is called by different names. It is popularly known as Glogg in Sweden, Vin

Chaud in France, and Glühwein in Germany. There are slight variations in ingredients as well depending on the region.

■ Though usual mulling spices include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, star-anise, allspice, and vanilla, the addition of fruit or sugar to sweeten the mixture also varies from recipe to recipe.

■ The type of alcohol included in mulled wine again varies from recipe to recipe. Most recipes begin with red wine and may have one or more other liquors like Vodka, brandy, rum, cognac, sherry, and akavit added.

■ Mulled wine is popularly called Glogg in Sweden. It mixes a fruity red wine with strong alcohol drinks like brandy or rum. They add cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and ginger to spice it up and then top it off with some raisins and slivered almonds. For a nonalcoholic Glogg, one can substitute orange juice and grape juice for the alcohol.

■ Germany's Gluhwein istraditionally made of dry red wine, some sugar and lemon, cloves, vanilla pods and cinnamon sticks.

■ Russia's Glintwein is almost same as the German recipe.

■ Bulgaria's Greyano Vino recipe is red wine heated with honey and peppercorns, for a bit of the sweet and spicy flavor.

■ Italy's vin brule calls for red wine with honey, oranges, cinnamon, nutmeg clove and juniper berries.