Whats Dine Without Wine!!!

I’ve noticed many times throughout this trip German Recipes are often well-guarded its precious family traditions carried throughout the generations. The German recipes are typically passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. There are many varieties of fruit punch, a popular party drink often neglected by German Recipe books. Bowle is just another word for fruited punch. Nothing is more appreciated for a themed party than a refreshing fruit punch. The fruit punch itself serves as a delightful attraction with its typically colorful presentation. From related Christmas classic Wassail to the seasonal Erdbeer (strawberry wine) Punch, German Recipes for Fruit Punch are often a much cherished party preparation treasure and can make parties so much nicer! Here is my favorite German Fruit punch Recipe. German Erdbeer Bowle (Strawberry Wine Punch).

Ingredients:

• 1 kg fresh strawberries
• 100 g powdered sugar
• 1/2 bunch lemon balm leaves (or lemon rind, see note in instructions)
• 4 (3/4 liter) bottles white wine
• 1 (3/4 liter) bottle champagne

This is done usually 2-3 hours before your guests arrive, wash the strawberries, drain well and pat dry. Halve the berries, and then place them in the bottom of large punch bowl or glass pitcher. Sprinkle the powdered sugar over them. Rinse the lemon balm leaves and shake them dry. Pluck the leaves from their stems and add them to the berries. Pour one bottle of wine over the berry mixture, cover, and cool in the fridge.

When the guests have arrived, add the remaining wine and the champagne. Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family common in Europe; if unavailable then use a vegetable peeler to cut about 5-6 long narrow curls of lemon rind in place of the balm (remove before serving).

Please note: it is best to use fresh fruit for Bowle recipes, but when fresh is unavailable, substitution of frozen fruit in the Bowle recipe is acceptable. For alcoholic recipes, please allow for plenty of time for the fruits to soak prior to finished presentation, as the alcohol-soaked fruit is considered a treat in itself!

Do you have a similar recipe, if so feel free drop a comment below...