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153
DM 118
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Porte D'entrée
♥ ♠♦ ♣
Heisse Ebbelwei!
In Frankfurt, as well as throughout Germany, one of the true joys of the holiday season are the Christmas Markets. These Christmas fairs showcase the German holiday traditions. You may find Santa, decorations, ornaments, carnival rides, and partake of Lebkuchen (spice cookies) candies, roasted almonds and chestnuts, and of course, Gluehwein, or Glow Wine. These spiced wines are especially delicious when you have a bit of a chill, as, in addition to their delicious flavors, they will give you a feeling of warmth (a glow) from the tip of your nose to the tip of your toes (pardon, but it is true).
We've re-printed the recipes for Gluehwein here as our holiday gift to you. And, while Gluehwein is most associated with the holidays, it is delicious throughout the entire winter. These wine drinks are not difficult to make, so be sure to try some during this holiday season!
(Danse Macabre accepts no responsibility if you tipsily spill a steaming mug of these delicacies on your keyboard while delighting in our 118th issue.)
Hot Apple Wine
A Traditional Frankfurt Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Liter Apple Wine
1/8 Liter water
60 grams sugar (approx 2oz)
1/4 stick cinnamon
3 cloves
Peelings of half a lemon or two lemon slices
Preparation
Bring the sugar, spices and water to a boil. (instead of the water experts say that you really should use apple wine for a better flavor) Then let this mixture steep for 30 minutes. Finally, mix in the remainder of the apple wine and carefully reheat to just under the boiling point.
Gluehwein
Traditional Glow Wine
Use the same ingredients and methods, but substitute a good red wine for apple wine. If desired, flavor with lemon or orange juice to taste. Glühwein is sometimes also made from raspberry, blueberry and blackberry wines.
Below are Variations of Gluehwein (but never of Heisse Ebbelwei!):
1. French Glow Wine: Use Bordeaux with cinnamon, rubbed nutmeg and bay leaves as the spices.
2. Seehund (Sea Dog): Substitute white wine for the red, and prepare as traditional glow wine. Depending on the acidity of the wine, a little lemon juice can be added to taste.
3. Negus: Prepare with port wine (1/2 wine, 1/2 water) and use rubbed nutmeg and lemon peelings for the spices.
4. Honig Gluehwein (Honey Glow wine): prepare with red wine, 150gm honey (5oz), some cinnamon stick and two lemon slices. Heat to just under boiling.
The following is a special sort of Gluehwein. It is popular in Alpine regions, especially after skiing.
Jagertee
(Hunter's Tea)
1/4 Liter black tea
1/4 Liter red wine
1/4 Liter orange juice
1/4 Liter Obstler (Schnapps - not the sweet American versions, but something like Kirschwasser or dry plum brandy)
60 - 80 grams sugar (2-3 oz)
1/4 stick cinnamon
3 cloves
peelings of 1/2 lemon or two lemon slices.
Heat all the ingredients until they simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Add sugar to taste
* This note is for those unfamiliar with the Frankfurt and Sachsenhausen versions of apple wine. Most Americans may associate apple wine with a heavily sweetened cinnamon flavored concoction. This has no resemblance the Frankfurt version, which may be likened loosely to an apple version of Chablis or Rhine wine. It's flavor is dry and crisp, and slightly tart. We have not been able to find a good source for the Frankfurt variety in the US, or one with a similar flavor (we'd love to be proved wrong, so email if you know). Using the recipes above, if you are using a spiced version (standard American) of wine, you may try skipping the cinnamon and extra sugar, and adding some tartness with some lemon juice. It will not taste at all like the genuine version, but still may be quite tasty. Though, if you're too terribly diabetic, it might also kill you stone dead. Caveat emptor!