History

When the glögg became Blossa

Tradition since the 19th century

As far back as the middle ages, people were drinking flavored wine in Europe. It was considered beneficial. During the 1890s, glögg became a nameworthy Swedish Christmas tradition. The word »glögg« originates from »att glödga«, meaning »to heat«.

Blossa's history begins in 1917, when the newly founded Vin & Sprit company aquired one of Stockholm's finest wine merchants: JD Grönstedts & Co. There were many wine merchants making glögg in Stockholm, but JD Grönstedts & Co made the best glögg. The recipe dated back to the 19th century, consisting of European wines, flavored with sugar and a secret spice blend.

For many years there was only one glögg at Systembolaget – the one made by Vin & Sprit according to the recipe from JD Grönstedts & Co. During the 1990s, other companies started making their own glögg. To distinguish themselves, Vin & Sprit launched the Blossa brand 1993.

So the name and brand was new, but the glögg was the same as ever. JD Grönstedts & Co's recipe was still in use, and is still in use today. Since 2003 we also make an annual glögg with a new flavor every year. This year the Blossa annual glögg is ten years old.