Sugar-Free & All-Natural Christmas Punch (Weinnachts Punsch)

I remember the days of where homemade meals were the best parts of the day. Somehow through time and inconvenience of stress we have lost tough with nature and the ability to produce some of the best most wonderful tasting foods directly from the source. 

I attended a small party at one of my favorite shops in Old Town, Sonam's Little World. Here I met a biologist who made the best tasting Christmas punch I have ever tasted. She picked two kinds of berries from the forest that morning with one being Rose Hips. Amazed, I could not believe how wonderful and sweet this "natural" beverage tasted. It literally brought my soul back to medieval memories where people sit around boiling up pots of soup and food. It was Christmas explosion in my mouth and once again the punch proved that nature is sweeter than sugar. 

I knew I had to figure out how to re-create it. Her tea consisted of a deep red color that was produced from a local berry that is grown in Germany. I first used her fresh rose hips, but the color was not deep. So I decided to try again with dried rose hips and the taste still defines Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year.

The recipe is not complicated, but it just takes time to simmer. The punch tastes best warm. When it is cooled it gives off a different flavor. I always use fresh ingredients so you can certainly use fresh squeezed apple juice or 100% bottled apple juice. Also, rose hips with the seeds are okay. It will not be as orange or red, but the seeds provide many nutrients. Enjoy!  

All-Natural Christmas Punch
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: 35-45 minutes

Ingredients: 
2.5 cups water
1/3 cup dried rosehips
1.5 cinnamon sticks 
1-1.5 inch fresh ginger, quartered 
1 large orange, cut in half (cut one half into slices)
2.5 cups apple juice

Directions: 
Place the water and rose hips into a pot and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the rose hips and set aside. In the pot, add the remaining ingredients, except for one slice of orange. Squeeze the orange slice into the punch. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Next. add the previously boiled rose hip mixture back into the pot and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes. When complete, strain the ingredients and serve warm. Adjust any flavorings by adding more apple or orange juice. 

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