Mein Freund ist Barkeeper und hat mir gerade den Glögi seiner Großmutter serviert. Es ist das beste heiße Weihnachtsgetränk, das ich je in meinem Leben getrunken habe.

I’m at my regular spot, and my buddy reaches under the bar and tells me “you need to try this.” Puts in a teapot designed to reach an exact temperature. Pours it into a mug.

I am transported. This is every proper winter holiday I’ve ever had distilled into a liquid.

I know the photo doesn’t do it justice but there’s ginger, cinnamon, some sort of citrus – his grandmother made him swear never to divulge the recipe so I don’t know what’s in it.

But it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever had that’s a hot mulled beverage.

It may not photograph well being it looks like red wine, but if you’ve had it, you know it’s good.