Operaman

Well it is December now and I'm wondering if anyone has been doing a tasting review of the Punsch offerings in and around Wien. Are the results in yet or are the judges still out?

Operaman

ttt

molker

Hello from Vienna and all the best to you and your family!

Sorry Operaman-

You do not know how hard it is to drag a slightly drunken dog about on our tasting journey. He is now 1 year old , still growing and adding kilos weekly. In addition, he now knows about females making even more trouble.

It seems to be more stands than ever this year adding to the problem.

My favorite place on Michaelerplatz has now different people and punsch quality is longer very good.

The places on Graben still OK.

Freyung has several good places- we must check all before judging there.

A new Christmas Market between the museums on Maria Theresia Platz has good punsch and other offerings.

I was in Krems , last weekend for a visit to their Advent Markets.
The Kiwanis had a very good stand with several punsch types.

More later.

Operaman

molker;
Hello from Oregon and the best to you and your family!
Thanks for the update. I am getting a picture of you towing Khanjar around in his slightly drunk condition and then he eyes one of the ladies. Very funny! I look forward to your next report. Had any of the goat cheese soup yet?

PalenqueBob

For others ignorant of what Punsch was, or is...Wikepedia says:

Punsch (also known as Arrack Punch, Caloric Punch, Swedish Punch or Swedish Punsch) is a traditional Swedish liquor produced from arrack, neutral spirits, sugar, water, and various flavorings. Arrack, originally a strong Indian liquor, came to Sweden in the 18th century imported from Java and it became the base ingredient for making punsch. The first ready-made punsch was sold in 1845 and initially the custom was to serve it warm, often together with yellow pea soup. In the middle of the 19th century it became popular to have it served chilled as a dessert drink with coffee or tea. Its complex, sweet taste makes it difficult to use punsch as a drink ingredient, and it is rarely available at bars, even in Sweden. However, in Swedish and Finnish student culture it is a prominent and popular drink at more or less formal festivities (e.g. Sitsit), even having a special tradition of songs related to it.

Bird

My vote goes to the Wild Berry Punsch that is sold by a very popular stand that is very close to the Rathaus. Lots of wild berries and a nice slow moving buzz.

(Just stay away from the langos.)

molker

Message Palenque Bob:

I would suggest you visit Vienna to see what Punsch really is and not use an description by Wikipedia.

That description is not Punsch served in this part of the world.

PalenqueBob

OK - a pet peeve i have is that at times folks talk about something like Punsch, assuming everyone knows what it is - I did not and since there was no description of it in the posts i turned to Wikipedia and thought there were others also Pensch-challenged folks out there.

So what is Viennese Punsch, in all sincerity. Is it only something that i'd encounter at Christmas or in winter, like Glughwein (sp?)?

Operaman

PalenqueBob
It may peeve you, but I posted under the Austria category because I knew only people who knew what I was talking about would reply. Gluhwein is a pale comparison to the various types of Punsch served during the holiday season in Austria.

PalenqueBob

Doesn't really peeve me as i may have implied but i like to read various things, especially things i know little about, and learn what it is - that's the only reason i posted Wikipedia's description - for other ignornat fools like me.

Molker - please explain the difference between Viennese Punsch and the Scandinavian style of Wikipedia. Very sincerely. I still don't know what i'd get in Vienna for Punsch. Just curious.

lawchick

I did 2 weeks punsch drinking in Vienna recently.

The Freyung used to be my favourite - Altweiner Markt - but I suffered a bout of indigestion this year after a few - but I did have a Most Punsch which was quite nice. Nice punsch was had at the Caritas stand across the road.

I frquented the Tier Punsch stand on the Karntner strasse so that at least my alcoholism would help the animals - their Glühwein was good and they served veggie snacks instead of the usual piggyfat on bread.

The Graben was generally very picturesque and had good crowds at the Lions Club stands.

The Belevedere was also nice. Punsch not so memorable though.

I went to a Swedish Glögg party this week. Glögg is like Glühwein - the difference seems to be that the Swedes put fruit (currants or raisins) and nuts (toasted almonds) into the wine and apparantly they add different spices.

Generally I think - Punsch contains rum whereas Glögg or Glühwein do not (unless mit Traktor).

Beware - bad Punsch or Glühwein comes in syrup form in a 10 gallon drum - this is the indigestionmaker.

My favourite this time round was the Krambambuli (Feuerzangenbowle)I had in Salzburg though - which I tried to recreate at home - but without the Feuer.

molker

Regarding Punsch-

many , many recipes exist for this drink. Similar ingredients - proportions vary. Many types of different fruit used.

Never anything resembling the swedish version- never with pea soup either.
Most of all never cold.

It is always served hot

Normal contents Rum, sugar, cinnamon . fruit juice ( all types but more orange than others) tea , wine, spices.

Kinder Punsch- no alcohol

Turbo Punsch- extra alcohol and really can be dangerous.

The commercial variety that comes in large prepared batches in plastic bottles- not that great. No idea who makes this stuff - cheap is not good. More tea less rum.
Many places in tourist places- Christmas markets serve this.

The better Punsch is " homemade" and recipe is guarded but usually includes those mentioned above.

They say that more than 500 stands in Vienna serve Punsch this year- an example of its popularity. I attempted to visit as many as possible, but I do not have enough money or ability to hold all of this stuff.

Unfortunately the price seems to increase every year. Now more than 3 euro in some places. Just several years ago price was 2 euro.

Groups such as Kiwanis and Lions club have stands that generally have good Punsch and proceeds go to good causes.I would rate them near the top of the Punsch list and their places are places to stop after working for a drink and visitng friends.

I Found my best Punsch to be on Freyung- not on the Church side but rather on the Palace Harrach side and near their entrance. Stand is
Kariativ- formerly on Michaelerplatz-

very good.


Message Operaman- Khanjar and I had a special cup to toast you and your family.

Merry Christmas!

Operaman

Thanks for the reports! Wish I was there to do some sampling myself.
molker: We drink to you and your family! Just returned from the Oregon coast and a little cabin with fireplace and great ocean view, we had a bottle of Blauerfrankisch from Burgenland...very fine!
Frohe Weihnachten my friend!