My Rumtopf Recipe

Traditionally part of German Christmas celebrations, rumtopf is a winter food that requires a little patience, as the process starts in summer. I have a very vivid memory of my grandfather having this in his kitchen when I was a child. I was fascinated by what was hidden in the giant earthenware jar in the pantry, and knowing what I know now, I can understand why I was never allowed near it!

After some searching round the net, I compared a number of recipes and took the bits I liked to make my own version, which I am happy to share. You can change any of the fruit you like, but try to avoid too many citrus and soft/mushy fruits.

Requirements:
3 Litre sealable container
1 litre of Dark Rum of your preference (I chose Cockspur)
3 Red Apples
3 Green Apples
4 Peaches
8 Plums
Bag of cherries
Portion of blueberries
Tin of pineapple chunks
2 Limes
Clear Honey
Sugar
PATIENCE!

Chop the fruit into bite-sized pieces (removing any stones/pips) and for the small berries, prick the skins with a pin. Weight the fruit and mix in an equal weight of sugar, along with 4 dessert spoons of honey, then leave to stand for an hour. Transfer the fruit to the sealable container and then pour in the rum (the rum should cover the fruit totally by an inch) and pop it into the fridge.

Give it a good stir every other day for the first 2 weeks, then once every 2 weeks after that. Once it has had 2 months in the fridge, give it a taste. You may find that it is very pungent, or a little stronger than you anticipated. If this is the case, transfer half the rum & fruit to a similar container, add some more seasonal fruit (including the same wight in sugar again) and pop back in the fridge.

Now if you started this around August, it will be perfect in time for xmas parties.

Serve the Rumtopf fruits with its syrup (hot or cold) over ice-cream, cake, flan, puddings, or cheese cake, in brandy baskets or tall glasses topped with whipped cream or crème frâiche (my preference). You can also add two tablespoons of the strained liquid to Champagne for a unique and elegant cocktail.

Just don’t let the designated driver have to many!!

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