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Last June I started a rumtopf so it would be ready by Christmas. A Rumtopf (Rum Pot in English) is a large covered ceramic jar filled with aged fruits, rum and brown sugar. It’s traditionally started in the spring and created by collecting and adding fruits to the pot as they come into season.
I started the process with fresh strawberries. Then over the next few months added white and black currents, cherries, red gooseberries, raspberries and peaches.
One of the first things I did when I arrived in Germany last week was check on my rumtopf which had been marinating these past months. I was afraid the entire thing had rotted but it held up perfectly. Although very strong in alcohol content, it tasted delicious and festive.
My mother in law always makes Annanascreme (Pineapple Cream) and Herrencreme (Gentlemen’s Cream) for desserts at Christmas. One of these’s days I will get around to posting the recipes. Anyway, the best way to enjoy the fruits of one’s rumtopf is to ladle it over ice cream or pudding.
I put some over the Gentleman’s cream which consists of cake, vanilla pudding and shaved chocolate. It was heaven in a bowl.
Rumtopf
Ingredients:
- 2 cups just ripe (not over ripe) fruit
- 1 cup brown sugar
- Good quality dark rum 54%
Directions:
- Wash, dry, pit and de-stem fruit.
- Place in a bowl.
- Add sugar and stir until fruit is coated.
- Pour mixture into the rumtopf or container.
- Add rum, making sure fuit is completely submerged.
- Cover the top with plastic cling wrap, place lid on and store in a cool dark place.
- Repeat with other variety of fruits waiting a few weeks in between adding each type.
For tips and trouble shooting as well as what types of fruits to use and which ones not to, click HERE. If you are interested in purchasing an authentic rumtopf, Ebay in both Germany and the USA have quite a large variety up for grabs at very reasonable prices.
10 comments
Found your blog at the suggestion of Paula and I love it! I just did a post about breaking my Rumtopf and how I found another one to replace it! Your Rumtopf looks amazing! Bravo! xxoo
@Shaz – It's very versatile. You can spoon it over ice cream or pudding or eat it straight up.
@Lauren -Try Ebay. Sometimes they are inexpensive there.
@Paula – Every time you add fruit you add more rum and sugar until the pot is full. The result is quite strong in the end but delicious.
How lovely that your Rumtopf was waiting for you when you arrived back in Germany and in good form! Just wondering, when you add the additional fruit as is comes in season do you have to also add more sugar and rum each time?
I love this! Every year my mum does the same but with just one type of fruit. Plums in rum or blackberries in brandy. The drink is wonderful by itself, or in a Champagne cocktail, or the whole thing poured over desserts. Happy new year!
This really takes me back. My friend's dad growing up made this every year (for some reason he called it rum tum tof) and he would tease us and give us tiny sips and it was so STRONG our eyes would water and of course he would laugh at us. Now of course I know I would enjoy it quite a bit!!
I'm glad to get a Rumtopf update! Paul and I found a Rumktopf at an estate sale and I, of course, thought of you! Unfortunately, it was waaaay too expensive to buy, so I'm still sans Rumtopf. 🙁
Hope you're having a great time in Germany and I hope you got to check out a few of the Christmas markets. Have a happy new year!
Crazy! I would definitely be so afraid that it would rot before I got to drink it…but yours sounds delicious!
Whoa! That is one pot full of goodness. Do you eat it with ice-cream or do you cook with it? Hope you're enjoying your stay in Germany.
Delicious! Love your new layout too!
That looks so shiny and tasty!
Happy Holidays!
Angie