Saturday, December 13, 2014

Warm Apricot Punch For Cold Winter Days




Sorry, I've been late for this post.
We traveled to Vienna to spend Christmas  with our family.
Until everything is settled, luggage is unpacked and Internet is reinstalled it takes time.
I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving, missed you all.
It's already very cold here and for Tuesday the first snow is expected.


People crowd at the beautiful Weihnachtsmaerkte (Christmas  markets) where all kind of sweets, hot chocolate, mulled wine and different kinds of punch are served.

 
At least one stall at every market sells for charity.
Many charity organizations, usually with voluntary helpers, are reliant on these donations. 


There are as well live concerts with Christmas music and the ambiance is beautiful and festive.


Christmas wouldn't be complete without the annual "Christmas in Vienna" in the Konzerthaus a great classical music event hosting international singing stars. This concert is broadcast on TV every year.
But before rushing to the next musical event, I would like to share with you one of my favorite punch recipes,  a highlite for every Christmas or winter party.
Apricots add a wonderful, aromatic flavor to this hot drink.


This is what you need:

750 ml apricot juice
750 ml white wine
2 star anise
4 cardamom pods, cracked
1 vainilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped
75 g brown sugar
zest of 1 untreated lemon
3 table spoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 
150 ml apricot liqueur

Bring all ingredients except for the apricot liqueur to a boil, then let simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove spices and lemon zest and add apricot liqueur.
Serve hot and top with a spooon full of whipped cream ( optional)
Serves 8 
Enjoy!

 

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41 comments:

  1. What a lovely warm cocktail for the holiday season. Hope you have great time in Vienna for Christmas!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much or your good wishes Lisa.
      Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  2. Enjoy your time with family. I've always wanted to visit the Vienna Christmas market - sounds magical!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Beth.
      Wishing you and your family a Merry Chistmas and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  3. This punch looks so festive and I love that it has cardamom in it! Glad you are back and hope you enjoyed your travels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy,
      actually I'm quite happy to be back home for some time.
      Wishing you and your family a Merry Chistmas and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  4. Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas with your family, Daniela! The market, street views and concerts there must be delightful!

    What a perfect punch for the holidays! Cheers!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Susan dear!
      A Merry Christmas for you and your family from Vienna!

      Delete
  5. This is such a lovely drink to have for Christmas! Looks like you had a fabulous time there, Daniela! Vienna sounds absolutely amazing

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Sammie. I do actually enjoy our stay here very much.
      Happy Holidays to you!

      Delete
  6. A delicious and warming punch.

    Happy Holidays dear!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you so much, Rosa!
    Wishing you and your loved ones Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What terrific pictures! And such a lovely punch. Good post -- thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you John.
      Wishing you and Mrs.K.R. a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

      Delete
  9. Delicious punch and all those spices sound so wonderful.

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  10. How wonderful to be in Wien for Christmas! I dream of visiting Germany and Austria again at holiday time. It would be worth being very cold to experience that kind of Christmas magic again! Your apricot punch sounds incredible and I think I will halve the recipe and make it for our Christmas dinner. Frohliche Weihnachten! ~ David

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi David,
      we are enjoying Christmas time here enourmosly , Vienna is really magic at that time of the year. Hope you can visit soon.
      Froehliche Weihnachten fuer Dich und Deine Lieben as well and I feel very honored that you are going to prepare the Apricot Puch for the holidays!

      Delete
  11. What lovely go to Vienna !
    I whish you a happy and merry Christmas Daniela!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Gloria. Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  12. Hi, Daniela! That has got to be one of the most spectacular Christmas festivals I have ever seen! Those "chandeliers" above the streets are incredible! Can you imagine having something like that in your neighborhood? You would be the talk of the town!

    It's so cool that you go to Vienna for Christmas each year! Great tradition! I'm sure there are as many similarities as there are differences in how the holiday is celebrated there.

    Your apricot punch recipe is right up my alley. I love the taste and the fragrance of apricots, and I just know this has to be a terrific cocktail! I have never seen cardamom pods. That's something I'd have to hunt for around here. The Midwest isn't exactly the Mecca of great cuisine!😉

    Have a wonderful Christmas and a very safe and happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alycia,
      Christmas time Is really magic over here and we are enjoying our time a lot.
      Don't worry about the cardamom pods
      The chandeliers are my favorite ilumination too, they are just so elegant.
      Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy Hoildays!

      Delete
  13. There is no place quite look Europe for the holidays. Even London gets dressed up and I miss it so much. I sure would love to visit Vienna during Christmas, looks absolutely festive, as does your drink. Hope you're well :)

    Nazneen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nazneen,
      So true, Europe during Chrsitmas time is really magic and unique.
      Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  14. An aprocot punch is so perfect for Austria lol, looks really good. Great pics and glad you had a nice trip.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Evelyne,
      Wish you and your loved ones Happy Holidays, take care.
      Hugs

      Delete
  15. What a wonderful of the year to visit Vienna, Daniela! This punch looks quite festive and comforting, ideal for the holidays. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Denise,
      So glad that you enjoyed the post.
      A Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

      Delete
  16. I love winter drinks, my favorite one being mulled wine! Your apricot punch looks so amazing! Christmas in Vienna - I am so jealous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Julia,
      Hope you come to visit ones at that time of the year, I'm sure you would enjoy!

      Delete
  17. What a wonderful festive punch! I love Vienna and I can imagine how beautiful it must be during Christmas!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much , Katerina!
      Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!

      Delete
  18. this warm punch is fruity,fresh and totally enlivening....perfect for a sip during the holidays...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much my friends!
      Happy Holidays to you and very glad that you are back!

      Delete
  19. I've heard about these Christmas markets- I would so like to visit one. We're spending Christmas in San Diego, Calif, where it is not too cold, but then we travel to South Australia where it will be hot and there are now some forest fires burning- the earth can be strange at times! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you can visit once at Christmas time, I'm sure you would enjoy, it's a magical ambiance.
      Merry a christmas and Happy Holidays to you Fran!
      Enjoy your trip to Australia.

      Delete
  20. Hi Daniela, Merry Christmas to you and family. May you be blessed with lots of love,joy and happiness.

    That's a very refreshing punch. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful pictures. Happy Holiday.
    Warmest regards and hugs to you.
    Amelia

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  21. Oh how lovely to be in Vienna for the holidays. I love this recipe and can't wait to try it. Oddly enough I have all these ingredients on hand. Sounds like a beverage to have sitting around a fire. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!

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  22. Vienna looks beautiful! And I need a few cup full of that delicious punch! Happy New Year :)

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