Rumtopf (German Rum Pot)

Berries in sugar and rum in a covered glass bowl ready to store for making rumtopf.

5 from 1 vote

Rumtopf (German Rum Pot)

A layered combination of various seasonal fruits soaked in rum and sugar for months at a time and then used in the winter as a delicious, boozy fruit compote or fruit syrup.

Prep Time10

Seasonal rumtopf takes several months50

Course: Breakfast, cocktail, Dessert

Cuisine: German

Meat & Poultry: fruit

Servings:

Calories: 101kcal

Author: Dorothy Stainbrook

Equipment

large bowl with cover
small plate fit into bowl to weigh down fruit

Ingredients

3-4 pounds mixed seasonal fruit strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, blueberries, pears
3-4 cups sugar approximately 1 cup per pound of fruit
1 bottle dark rum Myers or similar, 80 proof
½ bottle overproof rum Bacardi 151 or similar, 151 proof
Optional: cinnamon sticks whole cloves, star anise, dried citrus peel

Instructions

Start with your earliest seasonal fruit. Layer fruit in a clean, nonreactive crock or glass container. Cover with sugar (1 cup per pound of fruit). Let macerate for 1 hour.
3-4 pounds mixed seasonal fruit, 3-4 cups sugar
Pour rum over the fruit until it covers the fruit by about 1/4 inch. Use a 2:1 ratio of dark rum to overproof rum, or adjust to taste. Add the optional spices and citrus peel.
1 bottle dark rum, 1/2 bottle overproof rum, Optional: cinnamon sticks
Weight the fruit down if it floats (a small plate works). Cover tightly with a lid. Store in a cool, dark place.
As each new fruit comes into season, add another layer on top with more sugar and rum. Always keep the fruit submerged by 1/4 inch.
Do not stir between additions. Let the layers develop on their own.
After the final fruit addition, steep for at least 6-9 weeks before opening. Traditional rumtopf is first tasted on the first evening of Advent.
To serve, stir gently and spoon fruit over waffles, ice cream, yogurt, or pancakes. Pour off the syrup for cocktails.

Notes

Notes: Use within 1 year. If using lower-proof alcohol, add more sugar to ensure preservation.

**Want more like this? Subscribe to our Sunday newsletter to get recipes, gardening guides and diet help. Let’s go from Inspiration to Done!

Nutrition