Kinderpunch

The leaves have just changed colors, the weather fluctuates between lovely and “that’s ok, I didn’t want to go outside anyways”, yep, it’s November. And I may already be getting my Christmas decor out. That also means it’s time to fix my favorite drink of the season. Coffee and tea I drink all year long, hot chocolate is classic, but you’ll find me sipping on Kinderpunch a whole lot more.

We discovered Kinderpunch, and subsequently went crazy over it, after we discovered that most other beverages offered at the German and Austrian Christmas markets had a wee bit too much alcohol for our tastes. Got a mug of this stuff and from then on, if we saw a stall selling it, Colton would chug whatever was left in our mug so we could get more.

Kinderpunch

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 ½ Cup water
• 1 bagged berry tea
• 3c Apple cider
• 2 ½ Cup orange juice
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 tbsp cinnamon candies (red hots)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Optional: additional cinnamon sticks and orange slices for garnish

Instructions

For Stove:

1. Bring water to boil, add tea bag and let steep for a few minutes until desired strength, remove tea bag
2. Add cider, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and cinnamon candies
3. Reduce temperature and let simmer about 10 minutes
4. Add orange slices and let simmer another 5-10 minutes until punch reaches desired temperature

For Slow Cooker:

-this method is great for a large batch and want the cider preparing while you’re busy with seasonal activities, like decking the halls or rocking around the tree.

1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker, except the orange slices, set to High
2. Check after 3-5 minutes, judge by the darkness of the punch to see if the tea has steeped to desired strength (stir it a bit beforehand), remove tea bag
3. Add oranges, set to low.
4. Enjoy when punch reaches desired temperature

Notes:

1. Adjust ingredient amounts for your preference, needs more kick? Add OJ and cinnamon. Want more sweet or apple flavor? Add cider.
2. Be careful with your tea strength, as too much can lend the punch a more bitter taste