Every year Morgan’s department at work picks a night to go to the Osnabrueck Maiwoche celebration together. Unfortunately this year’s day was a soggy mess, but we still had a great time! What is in that delicious red drink with strawberries (erdbeer) you see us drinking (well the girls at least)? It is called a Maibowle (this one is the strawberry version) and here is how you can make one:
Erdbeer Maibowle (serves 6 – with plenty for seconds..)
- ½ cup dried woodruff (known as Waldmeister over here)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup cognac (though I think you can do without this if you want)
- 4 quarts mosel wine or rhine wine (so typically a riesling, but I think any semi-sweet to sweet white would work)
- Crushed ice
- 2 quarts chilled champagne or 2 quarts club soda
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
Directions:
- Place dried herbs in a small bowl; add boiling water. Let stand for 1 hour, strain. Place 3 tablespoons in punch bowl. Stir in sugar, cognac, and wine; add ice.
- Just before serving, pour in champagne or soda and float strawberries in the bowl (or add put a few on a stick!).
- Ours were red because they added strawberry syrup for good measure, but either way it is delicious!
