The Viking Rhine River Cruise aboard the Bragi was the trip of a lifetime! We had so much fun aboard the ship, shopping through the markets, visiting the cathedrals, learning about the culture and on the city excursions. Viking has created an unbelievable itinerary and hosted a number of great activities as we sailed to entertain travelers while we were at sea. I learned two great recipes during my trip: Rudesheimer Coffee:

• Place 3 sugar cubes in a coffee cup, pour 4 cl of hot Asbach Urald over the cubes and light with a long match.
• Stir with coffee spoon until all the sugar has melted and allow to burn for 1 minute
• Fill cup with hot coffee to about 2 cm beneath rim
• Top with whipped cream sweetened with vanilla sugar and sprinkle with dark chocolate flakes
• TIP: To heat the Asbach Urald use a microwave and hear resistant vessel for 1 minute at 600 Watts or alternatively use a hot water bath

Glüwein:

• Ingredients for 3 bottles of Red Wine (Merlow, Cabernet Sauvignon or as you like)
  • 6 big cinnamon sticks
  • 9 pieces Star Anise
  • 12 cloves
  • 3 Vanilla Beans
  • 6 all spice
  • 3.5 oz. white sugar
  • 3.5 oz. brown sugar
  • Nutmeg
  • 8 oz. raisins
  • 8 oz. almonds blanched
  • Orange segments of 5 oranges
  • Brown rum, amaretto, Cointreau, grand manier, etc.
• Prepare at least 24 hours in advance (the longer the better)
• Soak the raisins and almonds with dark Rum. Be aware that the raisins and almonds wll take a lot of liquid, ensure to refill with Rum.
• Put the white sugar into a pot and melt carefully until light brown, add the brown sugar and let it melt.
• Add the cinnamon, star anise, cloves and all spice. Let it develop the flavors for a while and stir carefully. Reduce the heat to avoid overheating.
• Pour a three quarter of a bottle of red wine add the vanilla beans and let it boil for about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat and add the rest of the wine and pour in some dark rum and other spirits of your liking. Do not heat up above 140F add the orange segments.
• Put some of the raisins and almonds into a cup. Add the Gluhewin grate and some nutmegg and serve with a spoon!

Viking also put on “A Taste of Germany” one night for dinner on the boat and we got a real taste of German culture! So farewell for now Viking, but I promise I will be back soon!