German Strawberry Punch | Erdbeerbowle

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German strawberry punch – Erdbeerbowle, as it’s called in Germany – is a delightful and festive way to celebrate the arrival of spring. As the days grow longer and the first warm breezes of May arrive, so do the season’s earliest strawberries, ripe for making this refreshing traditional beverage. Light, fruity, and subtly sweet, this punch is not only a treat for the taste buds but also for the eyes with its beautiful rosy-pink hue. Whether for garden summer parties, brunch, or simply enjoying a quiet moment on the patio, this pretty-in-pink drink brings the best flavors of the strawberry season to any occasion.

I hope this recipe will inspire you to make it as often as we do!

glass with German strawberry punch in front of bowl with more punch and bottle of wine

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Seasonal & Fresh -It highlights fresh, ripe strawberries at their peak, making it a perfect way to enjoy and showcase seasonal produce.
Simple & Elegant – With just a few ingredients, this punch comes together easily, yet feels festive and sophisticated – ideal for casual get-togethers or special occasions.
Refreshing & Light – Unlike heavy cocktails, this drink is crisp and effervescent, making it perfect for warm spring and summer days.
A Taste of German Heritage – This punch lets you experience an authentic seasonal tradition.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Strawberries: Obviously the star in this recipe and you’ll want to get the ripest fresh strawberries you can find
Sugar: Just a touch to enhance the sweetness of the strawberries
White wine: I like a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or German Grauburgunder
Sparkling wine: I love the fizzy spritz added right before serving
Lemon: Adding a bit of lemon juice or some lemon slices makes this strawberry punch even more refreshing
Fresh mint leaves: You can certainly toss them in but I like them for decorating and a pop of color

Useful tools and equipment

While you only need a large bowl, ideally a pretty bowl, a ladle, and some pretty glasses, many Germans own a specific “punch bowl set“.

Substitutions and variations

This recipe is very flexible and you can experiment with:

Wine: I often use a Rose wine for its lush pink color
Sparkling wine: You can get a Champagne, Prosecco, or even use sparkling water
Elderflower syrup: I always make a few bottles of elderflower syrup that adds some floral notes to this fruit punch
Strawberry syrup: For extra flavor, you can add some strawberry juice or strawberry syrup.

How to serve

We love to serve this strawberry punch from a nice large glass bowl. Then we ladle it into pretty glasses. You can decorate the glasses with mint leaves, some lemon balm leaves (or even crush them into the Erdbeer bowle), or some lemon zest strips.

Traditionally, Germans like to serve this fruit punch with wine for brunch, Mother’s Day, garden parties, or any time you need a fruity, spritzy, and refreshing adult beverage.

close-up of glass with German strawberry punch in front of bowl with more punch and bottle of wine

Make ahead of time?

You can easily marinate the strawberries in the sugar and wine and keep that in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Right before serving, you simply add the sparkling wine.

How long does it last?

Once you add the sparkling wine, I recommend you consume this summer punch soon.

Can I make Erdbeerbowle alcohol-free?

Yes! Replace the wine with white grape juice and use sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Fresh strawberries are best, but thawed frozen strawberries can work in a pinch—just expect a slightly softer texture. Also, the may not look as pretty.

Is this the same as Maibowle?

Technically, Maibowle refers to a punch made with sweet woodruff (Waldmeister).

How to Make This German Strawberry Punch – Erdbeerbowle

Prep time:	10 minutes
Chill time:	4-24 hours
Servings:	6-8

1. Prepare the strawberries:

Wash the strawberries, cut and discard the green, and cut the strawberries into small pieces. Add them to a big bowl. Add the sugar and lemon juice and mix well. Let stand for 15 minutes.

2. Add the wine:

Pour some of the white wine over the strawberries and let stand at least 4 hours or even overnight.

3. Finish the German strawberry wine punch:

Right before serving add the remaining wine and the chilled sparkling wine. Ladle the punch into pretty glasses and decorate with some mint or lemon balm leaves.

TIP: I don’t recommend adding ice cubes as they tend to make this fruit punch too watery.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments!