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This tart cherry juice mocktail is a non-alcoholic version of Swedish glögg, (a spiced, mulled wine). It’s a cozy winter drink layered with the flavors of baking spices that’s served warm. It’s a great mocktail choice for an intimate evening for two but it’s also a festive non-alcoholic drink for parties or family gatherings.

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Why you’re going to love this tart cherry juice mocktail

The base of my mock glögg is cherry juice. I love tart cherry juice but to give this drink greater body, I use it in combination with dark cherry juice. The combination is magic. And best of all, the mocktail is not only tasty, it has evidence-based health benefits.

Cherry juice benefits

Cherry juice is linked with reduced inflammation. Of the two juices used in this winter drink, tart cherry juice, also called sour cherry juice, is considered the more beneficial because it contains a higher amount of anthocyanins compared with dark cherry juice. Anthocyanins, flavanoids found in dark fruits like cherries and blueberries, are flavanoids recognized for their anti-inflamatory benefits.

According to certified nutrition coach and Eat Something Sexy founder Amy Reiley, because of these flavanoids, cherry juice is thought to help promote heart health and, indirectly, sexual health. (The promotion of healthy blood flow helps support sexual arousal and makes sexual climax possible.)

But the fact that this cherry juice mocktail may give your sex life a boost is just a bonus, not the primary reason to love it.

The reason I love making this cherry juice glögg is simply because it’s a delicious, warming, nourishing winter drink that makes people smile.

How do you make it?

Making my mock Swedish glögg couldn’t be easier! You simply add the cherry juices and spice mixture to a stock pot on the stove or a crock pot and simmer, then strain and serve. To simplify things even more, you can wrap the spice mixture in cheesecloth and tie with cotton butchers twine. Then just remove the spice sachet when the glögg is done simmering. Do not leave the spice mixture in the glögg because it will continue to steep flavor into the juice.

The most important thing about making this cherry spice mocktail is to make sure you purchase the right cherry juices. Purchase 100% pure cherry juice with no added sweeteners. (Do not use cherry juice concentrate.)

For a sweeter glögg

This drink is supposed to mimick the sweetness level of a glögg made with dry red wine. But if you like a slightly sweeter flavor, you can sweeten the drink before serving with either maple syrup or honey, depending on which sweetener you prefer.

Why mocktail glögg is a great wine alternative for date night

I’m a wine and spirits educator and I’ve often provided advice on wines for date night. But it’s nice to have a non-alcoholic alternative for a romantic occasion.

This glögg is my pick for a cold fall or winter afternoon or evening when you might need a little extra warmth to help fuel those flames of passion. Not only is this mocktail served hot but it’s also flavored with something called the “warming spices.” Seasonal spice flavors like cinnamon and allspice help raise body temperature from the inside out and are associated with seduction for this reason.

And don’t forget that the base of this drink is cherry juice, which is proven to help support heart health and sexual health.

So if you want a non-alcoholic drink for date night, this mocktail offers a trifecta of benefits not to mention a flavor you’ll crave.

closeup of two glasses of the hot tart cherry mocktail on a wooden board with scattered raisins, almonds and citrus peel

Non-Alcoholic Glögg Made With Cherry Juice

Print Recipe

Swedish Glögg is traditionally made with dry wine and spices. This version uses unsweetened cherry juices to replace the wine, making it a great choice for a wintertime mocktail.

Course aperitif, Cocktalis

Cuisine Swedish

Dish Type Mocktail

Diet and Health healthy-ish

Seasonal autumn, Christmas, Holiday season, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, winter

Ingredient Black Cherry Juice, Tart Cherry Juice

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 35

Servings cups

Calories 214

Author Annette Tomei

Ingredients

For the spice mixture

4 cardamom pods
2 cinnamon sticks
2 bay leaves
6 allspice berries whole
Peels from one tangerine or clementine
1- inch knob fresh ginger peeled

For the base

16 oz unsweetened tart cherry juice
16 oz unsweetened black cherry juice
maple syrup or honey to taste (if you prefer a sweeter drink)

Garnish (optional)

⅓ cup raisins
⅓ cup sliced blanched almonds toasted

Instructions

Combine spice mixture* and base ingredients in a heavy pot or crock pot (slow cooker). Bring to a simmer and hold at low simmer until the desired level of spice flavor is infused, about 20-30 minutes.
Strain our the spice mixture or remove cheesecloth sachet, add garnish, and simmer for an additional few minutes, until the raisins are soft.
Prior to serving, adjust flavor if necessary with honey or maple syrup.

Notes

*See notes in the "How to make it" section for creating a cheesecloth sachet for the spice mixture.

If you’d like to add a spirit, try it with aquavit, Genever, or vodka.

A note on the provided nutrition information

The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. It is based on six servings and no added sweetener (honey or maple syrup).

Annette Tomei

Chef, Wine Educator & Culinary Consultant at Wander, Eat and Tell

Annette Tomei is a chef, educator, writer, and cultural tourism consultant. She has a Master of Arts in Gastronomy and extensive education in wine and spirits including Italian Wine Scholar with Highest Honors. She is a classically trained chef and former restaurant owner. As a sought-after cooking instructor, she has created popular Port to Table cooking classes for Holland America and has contributed to several food books including Culinary Careers for Dummies. She currently works as a food, wine and spirits educator and consultant though her company, Wander, Eat and Tell. Learn more at http://wandereatandtell.com.

Spiced Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail (Mock Glögg)