I’m so excited to share this fun guest post with you from {the very entertaining & witty!} Dana of The Broke-Ass Bride. If you’re on the lookout for a festive & affordable way to celebrate with friends on chilly winter days, this one’s for you!

Broke-Ass Hostess: Holiday Swill that Won’t Bust the Till
by Dana LaRue

“We’re knee deep into Holiday Season now, and no doubt you’re quite the busy bunny, socializing and shopping your holiday heart out.  But even if your wallet is wasted, you can still throw a festive fete with a signature drink that packs a wild punch and a cozy delicious twist… without pouring your dollars down the drain.

Meet my favorite DIY adult winter beverage – GLOGG! My hubby and I discovered it a few years ago, and fell in love! It’s warm, full-bodied and complex, perfect for a cold winters’ night, and its become a tradition that our friends look forward to every year.

A mulled wine from the Nordic country, it’s super easy to whip up a large batch for your party (or to bottle and give as gifts), and it makes a memorable impression with wow factor!  Best of all, you can use affordable ingredients, keeping the bar stocked and flowing without breaking the bank or a sweat!

Made with red wine, brandy, orange juice and spices, the aroma of Glögg alone adds an instant Holiday ambience to the air. Just light a couple of candles, toss on the Jackson 5 Christmas album, hang the mistletoe and you’re ready to rock around the Christmas Tree or Hanukkah bush with your peeps!

(Now don’t hold me to authenticity with this, just hold me to good taste at the best price, yo!)

You’ll need:

• 1 jug Carlo Rossi Sangria Wine ($6.99 to 9.99 at the local drugstore)
• 1/3^rd liter of Brandy (whatever is on sale – $6.99)
• ¾ carton orange juice (and we prefer with some pulp to add a heartiness and texture) ($2.50)
• 1 ½-2 cups sugar ($0.99)
• whatever fruit you can find – cut into chunks ($1.00)
• 5 cinnamon sticks ($3.00)
• handful of cloves ($2.99)
• almonds and/or raisins (if you got ‘em hanging around)

*Priced as if you didn’t have any of the ingredients at all, and still costs less than $25 total!

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large stock or crock pot, over low-medium heat, stir, and cover.
2. Let rest at a low simmer, stirring and tasting occasionally for adjustments, until warm throughout.
3. The flavors marry and make happy tasting babies the longer it sits, so if you can make it the night before, go for it.
4. Just remember to warm it up again before serving.

Feel free to play around with your ratios to find the right blend for you. There is no exact science (which means its foolproof!). Experiment with making it sweeter, spicier, stronger or juicier…. have fun with it!

Here’s a hint, if it’s not feeling “holiday” enough – sprinkle in more spice – grated cinnamon adds a quick zip in a pinch.  And once you find your perfect blend, you’ll know it. The warm, rich coziness will hit your sweet spot, and is sure to put loads of good cheer into the guests that are here (er, there) – you get the point!

So cheers to having yourself a bad-ass holiday, the broke-ass way!”

Thanks so much for the fun how-to post, Dana!

Fun Tip: For a cool signature drink style, try garnishing individual servings of Glögg with orange wheels, cloves, star anise, sugar, or cinnamon sticks. You can really get creative when it comes to the oranges & cloves!