Kinderpunch is Germany's answer alcohol-free alternative to mulled wine. A Christmassy mocktail made of fruit tea and juices and Glühwein spices. In Germany, you will find them at Christmas markets or generally in Advent served right next to its big brother, the traditional Glühwein.
While mum and dad are enjoying their steaming mugs of mulled wine, their offspring should not miss out. This nonalcoholic mulled punch is the answer. Not only children, but anybody who wants to stay sober will love it and find this warm punch very comforting.
What is Kinderpunsch
Kinderpunsch is a warm German mocktail that is served at Christmas time. This Christmas punch (Weihnachtspunsch) was created to offer an alternative for children to the traditional Glühwein (German mulled wine).
"Kinder" is the word for "children" in German and "Punsch" is the term to describe a hot spiced drink made of wine, tea, and rum. Sometimes this drink is also referred to as Kindergluhwein or Kinderwine.
It is made with fruit tea, orange or apple juice, and sweetened with sugar or honey. This is heated and infused with Glühwein spices such as cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and star anise.
The red color resembles that of mulled wine so children can feel like adults.
They are offered at German Christmas Markets as an alternative to hot chocolate.
How to make Kinderpunsch
There is no set recipe for this German Christmas punch as they can vary a lot. The base for most recipes though is "Früchtetee". This is a popular tea in Germany that consists of hibiscus and fruit tea. The taste is slightly tangy and fruity. It is especially popular with children. I remember my mum making it for me in the 80s and they also serve it at my son's Kindergarten.
Ingredients
- Hibiscus tea or another red fruit tea (you can also substitute the tea with grape juice if you like)
- Oranges
- Apple juice
- Orange Juice
- Whole Cloves
- Star Anise
- Cinnamon stick (affiliate link)
- Vanilla essence
- Sugar or honey
Kinderpunsch Recipe- Step by Step
- Bring some water to a boil and add 3 teabags for each liter of hot water. Leave to infuse for 5-8 minutes.
- Place the tea into a saucepan and add the apple and orange juice.
- Now add the spices, cinnamon stick (affiliate link), cloves and star anise, and vanilla extract (affiliate link).
- Slice an orange and place it into the mixture. Keep a few slices for decorating.
- Gently heat the spiced drink for about 15 minutes (it should not boil).
- Sweeten the drink as see fit with sugar or honey.
- To decorate you can add some orange slices to the mug.
- Sieve off the spices and serve the kinderpunsch in mugs. If serving to children it is best to serve it warm, not hot to prevent burns.
Recipe Variation
- Replace the tea with red fruit juice such as grape, cherry, cranberry, or pomegranate juice.
- Vary the spices - the standard mulled wine spices are cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. You can add some cardamon, ginger, nutmeg, or lemon and orange peel.
- Add fruit to your punch - why not slice some apples, oranges or add grapes into the punch for the little ones to snack on
What to serve with Kinderpunsch?
As this child-friendly fruit punch is usually served outside around Christmas time, any finger food would be suitable,
A grilled Bratwurst or currywurst in a roll will always be popular with children.
For sweet treats cookies such as German Butter Cookies, Spitzbuben or Bethmännchen will be popular. Or a Gingerbread cake (Gewürzkuchen) is quickly made and will be liked by everybody.
To find more non-alcoholic mocktails to accompany your Kinderpunsch you can visit simplemocktailrecipes.com which has a delicious collection of recipes to choose from.
Storage
You can store the non-alcoholic mulled wine in airtight bottles in the fridge. This should last up to two-three days. The punch does not necessarily have to be warmed up, as you can also drink it cold. It is also nice for breakfast the next day for example.
More German Christmas Drinks
Recipe
Easy Kinderpunsch - German non alcoholic mulled wine
Equipment
- 1 saucepan
- mugs to serve
Ingredients
- 1 liter hibiscuis tea (about three teapbags) or another red fruit tea. You can also replace it with a grape juice.
- 250 ml apple juice
- 250 ml orange juice
- 1 orange
- 5 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick (affiliate link) can be replaced with ½ a teaspoon ground cinnamon (affiliate link).
- 2 star anise
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence you can also use vanilla sugar if you have it.
- 50 g brown sugar optional - you need to decide if it is sweet enough for your children, as the juices are already sweetened. You can also use 20 g honey instead.
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil and add 3 teabags for each liter hot water. Leave to infuse for 5-8 minutes.
- Place the tea into a saucepan and add the apple and orange juice. Now add the spices, cinnamon stick (affiliate link) , cloves and star anise, and vanilla extract (affiliate link).
- Slice an orange and place it into the mixture. Keep a few slices for decorating.
- Gently heat the spiced drink for about 15 minutes (it should not boil).
- Sweeten the drink as see fit with sugar or honey.
- Sieve off the spices and serve the kinderpunsch in mugs. If serving to children it is best to serve it warm, not hot to prevent burns.
Notes
Recipe Variation
- Replace the tea with red fruit juice such as grape, cherry, cranberry, or pomegranate juice.
- Vary the spices- the standard mulled wine spices are cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. You can add some cardamon, ginger, nutmeg, or lemon and orange peel.
- Add fruit to your punch - why not slice some apples, oranges or add grapes into the punch for the little ones to snack on.
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