One Christmas. I was invited with my Family to be a part of this wonderful event.
We all gathered in front of the Hotel on Christmas Eve, ready for a foot trip in the heavy snow. It was dark, and we all carried torches while stamping through the snow.
I remember feeling like a little girl - full of expectations. We walked in groups on a little path through the forest, when we finally reached our destination.
I couldn't believe it. There was a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the forrest, decorated with thousands of lights and beautiful ornaments. My dream!!! (All my friends that have visited me during Christmas know how "girlie"I am with my 9-foot Christmas tree).We all gathered around the Christmas tree, when Santa came out of the woods with a huge sleigh packed with gifts.
Remark to my Readers: Santa is not a Swiss Christmas tradition! This was a custom adapted from the United States!After distributing the gifts, singing Christmas songs and drinking 'Gluehwein' (hot red wine with cinnamon and fruits- yumyum), we walked back to the Hotel where a delicious Christmas meal expected us.
My friends' idea of Christmas was sharing the blessings with less fortunate people and friends.
I will never forget this unique Christmas!
Gluehwein Recipe:
A few of you have asked for my secret Glühwein recipe. Passed down the generations of my family, from mother to daughter...in whispers late at night by the fireplace on the eve of our 18th birthday. It was first learnt from a wandering monk who stopped at the house of my great great great great grandmother in Holland one frosty winters evening as thanks for a place to stay for the night... or perhaps I just made it up as I went along...Really the beauty of glühwein is that you can tailor it to your own tastes. I like mine to be rich in spices, however if that is not your cup of tea, then just reduce amount of spices you add. Just take this recipe as a base and then go in the direction that best suites your tastes.To 4 litres of red wine you need:
Caster sugar (amount proportional to quality of red wine, the worse the wine the more sugar you need, add it to taste, but start with about 2 cups) *** Can also be replaced by Splenda if you want to avoid sugar. I usually don't put any sugar in my recipe and let people do it based on their tastes!
6 - 8 Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves
2 Oranges
Whole allspice
2 cups of orange juice (not necessary!)
Whole cloves
2 Oranges
Whole allspice
2 cups of orange juice (not necessary!)
If you wish to get your friends and yourself tipsy even more quickly, or just to add a little extra kick, add brandy, sweet sherry or port to the mix. (optional but rather tasty)
Method:
Pour the red wine into a large pot and put it on the stove on a very low heat – you must not let the wine boil or the world could end… and that is not something you want to risk...
I tend to cut the oranges into slices and then put about 4 cloves into each slice, then put them in with the wine.
Break the cinnamon sticks in half or thirds and put them in with the wine as well as 10 of the whole all spice.
I tend to cut the oranges into slices and then put about 4 cloves into each slice, then put them in with the wine.
Break the cinnamon sticks in half or thirds and put them in with the wine as well as 10 of the whole all spice.
Add in the sherry or port as well as 2 cups of orange juice.***Add in 2 cups of sugar and stir.***
*** not necessary - I don't do it!
Stir on and off for about 30 mins to give the spices time to infuse with the wine and for the magic to occur, then taste it, and add more sugar as needed (possible up to 4 or 5 cups more in the wine is really bad).
Let it cook/infuse/whatever for about 30 mins more (again, not letting it boil).Drink and be happy :)
Sometimes I like to add berries, which soak up the alcohol quite nicely and add to the cuteness of the drink.
