Erdbeerbowle/ Strawberry alcoholic punch with champagne

This is a very common German party drink.   I think I'll make one for a very large party at our house next week.

Everything wedding is slowly shaping up now and coming to the crunch soon.  Visitors are expected from the North (Yukon), the East (Germany and Ontario) and the West (Vancouver) and Southern Alberta.  Long lost friends and relatives have announced themselves.  


There are versions that also add mineral water.  I think we will add some mineral water.  We don't need everyone too happy and we are talking about an afternoon party.  

Erdbeerbowle for a Summer Party

"Erdbeerbowle" is a wine punch with strawberries served at summer parties and German BBQs. Made with sweetened strawberries, lemon, wine and sparkling wine (German Sekt), it sets the mood of warm summer nights and tiki torches. Serve with cocktail picks to spear the fruit.
Makes about 10 cups, or 20 five-ounce servings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts of strawberries, washed, cored and sliced
• 1/2 c. sugar, or to taste
• 2 lemons
• 1 bottle of dry, white wine
• 1 bottle of white, sparkling wine
• Mint or lemon balm to garnish

Preparation:

Sprinkle the sugar over the sliced strawberries in a bowl. Zest the washed lemons and then squeeze the juice. Add both juice and zest to the strawberries and let sit for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Drain and reserve the strawberry juice. Add the white wine to the strawberries and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the guests start arriving. Pour the wine and berries into a punch bowl, add the reserved juice and stir. Pour the sparkling wine into the bowl and serve.
To serve, ladle punch and strawberries into the glass, garnish with mint, if desired, and serve with a cocktail pick, so that the guests can eat the strawberries.