May Wine Punch With Sweet Woodruff (Mai Bowle)

"May Wine is an old, traditional beverage that originated in Germany and is consumed throughout Europe. Infusing white wine with Sweet Woodruff gives this libation an herbal flavor with green notes that are refreshing and pleasant. Often served on May Day and at spring and early-summer weddings, this beverage is perfect for sharing with friends and family during dinner parties, backyard barbeques, picnics, and at other get-togethers. May Wine was historically brewed during the May and June months when Sweet Woodruff is in flower, but there is no need to restrict consumption to these months. This light and refreshing herbal infused beverage is a perfect treat that can be enjoyed throughout the year! Not only does May Wine taste delectable, but Sweet Woodruff has a long history of herbal and medicinal use. It has been used throughout the ages to treat ailments including liver problems and jaundice. During the Middle Ages, Sweet Woodruff was widely applied as a poultice for wounds and cuts and taken internally for digestive and liver problems. In modern day herbalism, infusions of Sweet Woodruff are used for diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects and to ease stomach aches. This is a classic recipe for May Wine, but feel free to adjust it to your liking. I am already envisioning Chamomile flowers, Rose petals, and Lemon Balm incorporated into future batches! Simply follow the recipe but substitute the herb(s) of your choice for Sweet Woodruff, and make allowances for herbs that are especially flavorful – like Lavender flowers. A note of caution: Sweet Woodruff may produce headaches and other toxic effects if high doses are consumed or if it is used long-term. Info taken from Mountain Rose Herbs. Note: You can easily increase the yield by adding an additional bottle of wine for 16 servings, or double the amounts (use two bottles each of wine and champagne) for 24 servings. For an alcohol-free version substitute white grape juice or apple juice for the wine, and sparkling water for the champagne. If you can't source fresh Sweet Woodruff, use 1/2 cup of dried Sweet Woodruff which you can purchase online. -Or-, use a spoonful per drink (to taste) of Waldmeister Syrup which can be purchased at germandeli.com. Enjoy!"
 
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photo by BecR2400 photo by BecR2400
photo by BecR2400
photo by BecR2400 photo by BecR2400
photo by BecR2400 photo by BecR2400
photo by BecR2400 photo by BecR2400
Ready In:
15mins
Ingredients:
10
Yields:
1 Punch Bowl
Serves:
10-12
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ingredients

  • 1 small bunch fresh sweet woodruff
  • 4 tablespoons superfine sugar, to taste (or honey)
  • 1 (750 ml) bottle white wine (such as German Rhine wine, Riesling, or Moselle)
  • 4 tablespoons brandy (preferably Asbach Uralt) (optional)
  • 1 (750 ml) bottle champagne, well chilled (pink or white, or German Sekt)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries (wild alpine strawberries would be ideal)
  • fresh orange slice, to garnish
  • fresh sweet woodruff, to garnish
  • fresh edible flower, optional to garnish (such as Johnny jump-ups and violets)
  • ice
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directions

  • Place sprigs of fresh sweet woodruff into the white wine. Cover and let steep at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
  • Pour the wine over ice into a punch bowl; discard the woodruff.
  • Add the sugar, brandy, champagne, strawberries and orange slices, stir gently to combine.
  • Garnish with additional fresh sweet woodruff and float fresh edible flowers such as Johnny jump-ups and violets in the punch bowl, as desired.
  • Serve the punch thoroughly chilled, in wine glasses or champagne flutes.

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>Married to my sweetheart for almost forty years and we have two wonderful children who are grown and have flown the coop. Also, we have been blessed with a wonderful son-in-law and beautiful daughter-in-law, plus FIVE grandchildren: two beautiful granddaughters ages five and eight, and three sweet adorable little grandsons ages 2 months, 2 years and 3 years. My husband and I share a combination of English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Dutch, Swiss, Polish, Austrian, German and French heritage, and our son-in-law and daughter-in-law are both Hispanic. We've traveled extensively to many countries abroad (we lived in Germany), and have traveled and lived in several states here in the U.S.A. Many of the recipes I post here are influenced by our combined heritage or from our travels, or they are old family favorites that I want to share with you. I hope you enjoy! Have been to culinary school with many years of cooking (mostly for my family) under my belt, so know my way around a kitchen. And I'm very lucky to have the best sous chef in the world, dddddh! One of my favorite chefs of all time is Jacques Pepin! I have several of his cookbooks, and enjoy watching his television cooking show Fast Food My Way. Another top favorite is Julia Child (of course!). A few other chefs I read/enjoy watching on t.v. are: Giada At Home, Ina Garten's The Barefoot Contessa, Nigella Lawson's Nigella Bites, and Patti's Mexican Kitchen, and many more. On my bucket list is dining at Thomas Keller's establishment The French Laundry in Napa Valley, California... as well as Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley, and the James Beard award winning Tartine Bakery and Cafe in San Francisco. One day!! &nbsp; Hobbies/Interests: Decorating with fresh flowers and herbs from the garden is my passion, and brings me deep joy! It's really hard to beat!! I love connecting with others who enjoy the same. Gardening, decorating, sewing, music, dancing, film, and reading are also up there. Spending quality time with my grandchildren, family, and friends (and cooking holiday meals!). Currently, a newfound passion has been so richly rewarding for me: genealogical research. I heart ancestry dot com. And last but certainly not least, I absolutely LOVE cats--we have two half-Siamese fur babies (cats) that allow us to live here!!&nbsp; &nbsp; A Note of Thanks~ I try to personally thank everyone who kindly makes and reviews my recipes, but sometimes I am busy, late, or may forget. Please know that I am always humbled that you would try one of my recipes, and I enjoy reading the reviews and seeing all the pretty photographs. Thanks so much!&nbsp;</p>
 
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