German Bowle Wine Punch Recipes

German Recipes are often well-guarded precious family traditions carried throughout the generations. In my wife's family, the German recipes are typically passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. One of the highlights of any German harvesting (Erntedankfest), music (like the Beethoven festival), or Oktoberfest party is the Bowle. There are many varieties of Bowle, a popular party drink often neglected by German Recipe books. Bowle is just another word for fruited punch. Though Oktoberfest is best known for Beer, nothing is more appreciated for a themed party than a refreshing Bowle, either of the alcoholic or the non-alcoholic variety. The Bowle itself serves as an enchanting centerpiece with its typically colorful presentation. From related Christmas classic Wassail to the seasonal Erdbeer (strawberry wine) bowle, German Recipes for Bowle are often a very cherished party preparation treasure and can make parties so much nicer! Though early season recipes are spiced with Woodruff, later season bowle recipes have a variety of flavorful ingredients. Here are five German Bowle Recipes (in English).

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!

GERMAN BOWLE RECIPES

Melonenbowle mit Birne (Melon Bowle Punch with Pear)

The final melons of the season are a perfect presentation for this Bowle recipe. This Bowle recipe consists of melon, pear, and a dry white wine.

Ingredients:
One large orange fleshed melon (for summer, try watermelon)
2 bottles White wine Spumante (sparkling white wine, preferably dry VERY CHILLED Prosecco. If Watermelon is preferred, choose a rose wine for both color and flavor.)
2c sliced pear, very ripe
4T Sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
1T Honey
Fresh Mint leaves
Garnish of coarse or raw sugar

Directions:
With a large serrated knife, cut a bit off the base of the melon (only 1/10 of the rind, do not cut into the flesh) so it can stand up like a bowl. For an interesting party theme, choose very small melons so each guest has their own drink. Cut the top off the melon. Remove the seeds and carve out or use a melon baller to remove most of the melon flesh. Be sure to leave plenty of melon to line the bowl. In a glass bowl, pour 4c wine mixed with 3T of the sugar over the melon flesh (cut into cubes or balled) and 1c pear slices. Do not mix, as it might cause the pear to break into pieces. Cover the bowl with saran wrap. Allow wine and fruit to soak in refrigerator for 6 - 8 hours. Chill the remainder of the wine and the melon bowl(s).

To prepare the bowle, remove the melon bowl from the refrigerator and an unopened bottle of wine. Carefully dip the cut edge of the top of the melon in honey. Set honeyed edge on a paper plate covered in coarse or sanding sugar to transfer crystals. Turn melon upright. Fill the melon 1/2 full with the wine and add peppermint extract. Very carefully spoon the chilled wine-soaked fruit into the melon to a good height. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. It is proper to serve with clear picks (a garnish of a single piece of melon with a pick inserted) for those who enjoy eating the soaked fruit.

Mulled Apfelwein Bowle

This recipe is one more or less for specific families. My wife's family makes this drink in the fall, and it can definitely knock your socks off depending on who brewed the Apfelwein. The flavor is that of a hearty cider with a punch to it and it is commonly served warm.

Ingredients:
1 bottles room temperature apple wine (purchased or make your own) or 1c spiced rum
8c Apple Cider
2c Brandy
2c Sliced Apples (with peel)
1c Sugar
5 large sticks of natural Cinnamon
1t whole cloves

Directions:
The night before the event, soak 2c sliced apples with peel in the Brandy in a clear glass bowl. Be sure to cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight.

The day of the event, warm together apple cider, wine, and 1/2 cup sugar. When cider begins to steam, turn the temperature down to keep it hot but not boiling. Before guests arrive, transfer the extra-large cider to a pre-warmed slow cooker. Though it's not as beautiful as a punch bowl, it will keep the drink toasty. Pour excess Brandy off the apples and dip them in sugar. Then, carefully add fruit, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves to the bowle. The result is a mulled wine - cider mixture that can really warm you. Serve with a cinnamon stick for perfect presentation. For a lighter flavor, substitute Brandy for a light wine.

Kirsche Dieselbowle, (Altbier) Kirsche Colabierbowle (Cola Cherry Beer Punch)

A great Bowle for the football season, this drink is a delight for gals at Jack and Jill sport parties, but don't be surprised if Jack wants a sip! The flavor is somewhat unusual, but it goes well for those who appreciate a flavorful beer. This Bowle is best served out of a glass pitcher well chilled.

Ingredients:
40-oz bottle Altbier (if not using cola, a lite beer is preferred)
2c cola (For extra caffeine, some use red bull cola, though this is not recommended)
1 c sherry
1t Cherry liquor
1c Marichino Cherries

Directions:
Before the event, soak the sherry and Cherries in a glass bowl and refrigerate all ingredients. The day of the event, in a large pitcher combine Altbier, cola, and cherry flavoring. Serve with alcoholic cherry garnish x 5.

Moosbeereherbstblätter Bowle (Cranberry Autumn Leaves Punch)

This bowle has the look of beautiful autumn leaves with the use of delicious cranberry juice. Move over Cosmopolitan. This drink is a real stunner.

Ingredients:
4c Apple Juice (the lighter, the better)
2c Cranberry Juice
2c White Grape Juice
1 Bottle Champagne (or for non-alcoholic use ginger ale)
1 c Sliced ripe peaches (Fresh, not canned!)
1c Vodka
1T Orange Juice
1 lemon (thinly sliced)
1 orange (thinly sliced)
1c sugar
3 large carnations (harvest colors)
Fresh Cranberries.

Directions:
Fill ice cube trays 1/3 full with white grape juice. When ice is hardened, place one cranberry in each of the cubes and fill the remainder of the cube with more grape juice. Freeze. In a large jar (sun tea jar is perfect), combine vodka with other fruit and sugar and place in refrigerator. Chill all other ingredients. The day of the event, fill the punch bowl with the cranberry, orange, and apple juice. Slowly add the vodka and fruit followed by the champagne. For presentation, tear the petals off the carnations and sprinkle atop the punch. Carnations are edible. For an even bigger hit, place non-toxic floating candles in the punch to create a "burning leaves" look, but make sure the drink is safely served.

Gespenstischbowle (Spooky Punch)

This bowle takes creativity and zing to make it a Halloween hit! Be the first to try this trick. . .

Ingredients:
4c White Grape Juice
1c Pomegranate Juice
1c Apple Juice
1c Currant Juice
2c White Wine (Sparkling)
1c Spiced Rum
1/2c Vodka
1c Peach Schnapps
1c Orange Juice
1c pineapple juice
3T Cherry Syrup
3 apples (with the cores removed and thinly sliced)
1/4 c fresh Cranberries
Extra Items Needed:
4 - 6 latex-free, non-lined, heavy duty powder free rubber gloves (washed inside and out)

Directions:
The day before the event, Wash gloves. You will want to test this several times to find the best method to use. Carefully take a glove and stretch it over a large jar, vase, etc so that the fingers hang down in the jar. In a large bowl, combine orange juice, pineapple juice, and enough of the cherry syrup to achieve a good flesh tone. Fill glove up to the wrist and freeze to make hand-shaped ice cubes. In a glass bowl, place fresh apple slices and cranberries in a bowl with the rum to soak for 6-8 hours.

The day of the event, combine all other juice with vodka, schnapps, and champagne. Pour in the fruits. Place handcicles into the Bowle. Drizzle with the remaining cherry syrup.

Enjoy these Bowle recipes. I have tried all of these but with non-alcoholic substitutions like ginger ale for wine and club soda for champagne. German Bowle is a lovely experience rooted in a love of life and celebration of the seasons. Sometimes, a bowle is even the life of the party.