Recipe for a delicious hot punch just like the ones served at Austrian punch stalls in winter. This fruity punch is called ‘Orangenpunsch’ in German, which translates to ‘orange punch’. It celebrates the season with a blend of tea, orange juice, spices, a bit of sugar, and rum if you are up for it.
This spiced orange punch is similar to a hot tea toddy, a hot tea punch or a hot fruit punch. The differences are actually quite blurry.
Punch at Viennese Christmas markets
No trip to Vienna in winter is complete without visiting the numerous Christmas markets. The heart of every ‘Christkindlmarkt’ as we call these markets in German, is without a doubt the punch stalls. They serve different fruit punches, mulled wine (‘Glühwein’) and winter snacks like pretzels, spiced candied almonds, or cookies.
People usually enjoy their (boozy) beverages next to the little stalls, piping hot, and always within reach of the next hot beverage. Of course, in2020 everything is different and all the Christmas markets are closed in Vienna right now. However, this is the perfect time for making hot Christmas punch at home. This Christmas punch will instantly bring a cozy holiday vibe into your home, I promise.
Video hot punch
Enjoy!
Viennese Hot Christmas Punch – with Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups (720 ml) water
- 3 teabags blood orange tea (alternatively: hibiscus or black tea)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) orange juice (best if freshly squeezed from 4-5 large oranges)
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) white or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) dark rum (38 %)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) Cointreau (alternatives: see notes)
For serving:
- orange slices, star anise
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add tea bags, cinnamon, cloves and star anise. Turn off stove, cover, and let steep 10 minutes.
- Discard tea bags. Add orange juice and sugar and bring back to a simmer.
- Add rum and Cointreau. Carefully reheat but do not simmer since alcohol starts evaporating significantly at 172 °F (78 °C).
- Taste and add more sugar if needed. If you would like to keep the beverage hot over a few hours, remove the spices since they can make the punch taste too intense or even turn it bitter when steeped for to long.
- Serve hot with orange slices and a star anise. Enjoy!
Saving this to make on a cold day. Reminds me of the time we visited Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt in 2019. Outdoor ice skating was fun! Thanks for the recipe
Hi Marcelia,
Perfect for cold days :) I hope the Punch-taste brings you right back to Vienna :)
Can this be cooled and stored? Wanting to make as a gift :)
Hi Jade,
Depends on how long you want to store it. I’d say up to 2 days is fine but keep in mind that it contains fresh orange juice, which doesn’t keep well. Ursula
Hi,
Just tried this drink. We all enjoyed it very much. Reminded me of the cozy Christmas stalls in Salzburg. What a magical city.
Hi Christine,
So happy to hear that this drink reminded you of Salzburg. I make it every year :) Happy holidays! Ursula