Almost every village in Germany has its own Christkindlemarkt or as American’s would say a Christmas Market. There are treats to delight, from one to ninety-two! There is kinderpunsch (a warm child-friendly Christmas Punch), Glühwein (hot mulled wine), a large assortment of food and gingerbread, beautiful crafts, and an abundance of toys.
When I was out shopping, several years ago, I found this beautiful feuerzangenbowle. I didn’t really know how Glühwein was made, so I figured it was how you make it. I was mistaken but happily surprised. A feuerzangenbowle (Fire Tongs Punch) is a traditional German alcoholic beverage where a rum-soaked sugarloaf is lit on fire. The Fire melts and caramelizes the sugar and it drips into mulled wine. The sugarloaf, Zuckerrhut (sugar hat) is a cone of sugar that you can make at home if you cannot find one.
Feuerzangenbowle
| 2 | Oranges (unwaxed) |
| 2 | Lemons (unwaxed) |
| 2 Bottles | Red Wine* (2 Liters) |
| 1 | Cinnamon Stick |
| 5 | Cloves |
| 1 Dash | Ground Ginger |
| 1 Dash | Ground Cardamom |
| 1 | Sugar Cone |
| 2 Cups | Brown Rum (at least 54% alcohol) |
Wash Citrus fruit, Pat it dry and slice into rounds. You can substitute the Lemons for an additional Orange.
In a large pot combine the red wine, Citrus, and whole spices. Slowly heat the wine, but don’t let it boil.
Remove the Pot from the stove and pour into your bowl. (The bowl should be able to be heated, like a fondue pot). Add ginger and Cardamom.
Place the sugar cone about 1″ above the surface. You can use special fire tongs, like I have, or you can use a wire netting to place the cone over.
Next comes the fun! Soak your sugar with rum and light the alcohol on fire. The sugar will melt and drip into the wine. Carefully add more rum in small quantities to keep the fire going until the sugar cone is spent. (I highly recommend using a metal ladle).
Tips:
Use a hearty dry red wine.
It is important that the rum is over 54% alcohol. To be safe, I always uses 151. It also burns better if the rum is room temperature.
To make a sugar cone you need 2 ingredients (granulated sugar & Water) and a cone shaped pilsner glass. Mix sugar with just a little water like a nice packing sand for sand castles. Add to your glass and tamp it down. Rough up the top of the surface with a fork between adding layers to ensure there aren’t seams that will break when you remove it from the glass.
Turn the glass over and pop out the sugar cone. If it breaks start over. If it doesn’t break, let it sit out and dry. It will solidify and you will be able to pick it up in one piece!
SAFETY: Be VERY cautious. You are handling alcohol and fire. Take the necessary precautions.