United Kingdom Wassail
Wassail is the ancient British tradition of singing to apple trees to encourage a bountiful harvest. Derived from the medieval greeting waes hail (meaning “be in good health”), this holiday beverage is preferably mulled from flavorful English malts and brown ales, not hop beers. Fruit ciders such as apple and cranberry, apricot nectar, as well as spices such as cinnamon bark, whole cloves, nutmeg, and ginger slices enhance wassail’s aroma. Holiday wassail may be sweetened with honey, sugar, or fruit juices. This recipe calls for two parts sweet to one part tart juices, simmered with cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg (or mace, the outer layer covering the nutmeg seed).
Recipe Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 cups (960 ml) apple cider (fresh pressed is best)
- 2 cup (480 ml) cranberry juice
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) honey
- 3 whole cloves
- 3-inch cinnamon bark
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) ground nutmeg (mace)
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- Shot of rum (optional)
- ½ orange, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
- Combine apple cider, cranberry juice, honey, cloves, cinnamon back, nutmeg, and water in a non-reactive soup pot.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove pot from heat and stir in rum, if using.
- Serve warm garnished with orange slices, if desired.
Copyright © 1993—2024 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.