All in all quiet day. A bit wistful missing my loved ones that are no longer with us and course a little self pity because I wasn’t traveling Watched a marathon of old moves mixed in with this amazing German series on Netflix Dark. I highly recommend it but it’s definitely not Christmassy. Planning on a Muppet Christmas Carol watch party later should be fun.
I also part I ate in something called #joinin on Twitter. It was started by a British Comedian named Sarah Millican a few years ago. Using the hashtag #joinin you can chat with others who would like some company. I do it even when I’m traveling for the holidays. I really love it . I will be doing it on Christmas Day and New Year as well.
So on to the Feuerzangbowle. Literally it means fire tongs punch. Essentially it is a mulled wine with a flaming rum soaked sugar cube hovering over it dripping in. Had it several times at the Berlin Christmas Market in Gendarmarkt Square. I will try to post a photos if I can. ( have to admit that I still have issues attaching photos) . They even have special punch bowls for it. Yes I have one. For the recipes let’s assume you are have friends over.
- 2 bottles red wine
- 2 lemons
- 2 oranges
- 1 cinnamon stick ( I add more)
- 5 cloves ( I place them in the orange rind and use more than 5)
- 1tsp of ground ginger ( if you have fresh you can put in a few slices to give it a little kick
- Sugar cone ( also called Zucher Hut you can buy on Amazon if you can’t find it. I’ve also seen some YouTube videos showing how to make it but I didn’t want to take any chances
- About 2 cups of rum to soak the sugar cone. Make sure it has high alcohol content so it will light. I used 151 .
- This shouldn’t need to be said but BE CAREFUL!! You are lighting alcohol on fire! Not for children to do. Keep punch bowl away from anything the flames could catch or spread to.
Heat the wine , lemons , oranges and spices slowly in large pot, bring to simmer . Do not bowl. Transfer to the what you are using for the hot wine if not an official Feuerzangbowle set. Some people use a fondue set. Place the Sugar cone on metal holder after soaking with rum( the sugar not the holder) . Carefully light. Add more rum to cone slowly until burned off. Stir and serve. Enjoy! 