White Wine & Elderflower Gløgg

Throughout December, Scandinavians meet outside to drink hot gløgg and sing carols—it’s like a cocktail party in the snow. My neighbors and I do it almost every night. Red wine is traditional in this spiced wine punch, but I think white wine is a nice change of pace.

• 2 750-ml bottles dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
• 2 cups elderflower cordial
• 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 10 green cardamom pods
• 1-1/3 cups golden raisins
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup Cognac

In a 4-quart pot, bring the wine, cordial, sugar, and cardamom pods to a simmer over mediumhigh heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Turn the heat down and gently simmer for 5 minutes. Discard the cardamom pods; add the raisins, almonds, and Cognac. Serve hot in small glasses with spoons for scooping up the raisins and almonds.