Feuerzangenbowle

The temperatures are freezing, the chimneys are smoking in the cold, the snow is covering the landscape in solid white, and a delicious smell of fresh-baked cookies is sneaking out of homes. This is the time of Christmas and the time of hot wine punch.

In Germany one calls the wine punch 'Feuerzangenbowle' which is nothing else than burnt punch or flaming fire tongs punch: A sugar loaf is placed above a pot filled with hot red wine, lemons, oranges, cinnamon sticks, and some cloves. One soaks the sugar with rum (50% alcohol) and then lights the rum-sugar combination. The sugar drips (burns) into the spiced wine mixture. This is the cozy part, for everybody is gathering around the fire and enjoys the warmth - waiting for the sugar to be completely melted into the hot wine. Finally, the punch is ready to be served and enjoyed.

Ingredients:
3 bottles of dry red wine (same brand for best results)
1 sugar loaf
2 cups of at least 50% Rum (drip over the sugar)
1 orange (or more)
1 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves

My husband and I made it a tradition to make a 'Feuerzangenbowle' every year around Christmas time. Usually friends are coming over - enjoying this event as much as we do (at least I hope). Although we have been living in Southern California where the strong winters are missing, we keep up with this wonderful rite.

Gallery [ pw required ]
Flaming Fire Tongs Punch [ English ]
...The drink, the movie, the cult [ English ]
Pfeiffer mit drei F [ zum Film - deutsch]