Winter Wassail Recipes

Steps:

• To make the wassail, wrap the cloves, allspice, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and peppercorns in cheesecloth and tie with kitchen string. Combine the cider, cranberry juice, brown sugar, and spice bag in a large pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
• For each serving, put one ounce of the bourbon into a mug and fill it with hot Wassail. Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.

Steps:

• Pour cider into large kettle, add spices and salt. Bring to a hard boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes
• Remove from stove, add sugar to taste, if needed.
• Cool. Strain wassail. Keep in a cool place till ready to use, but it is not necessary to refrigerate.
• To prepare a wassail bowl: Use a heavy china bowl, a crock pot or a punch bowl.
• Heat it over a large kettle of boiling water. Add lemon and orange slices.
• When warm, add gin or vodka and let it heat, but do not boil or spirits will evaporate. Remove from heat.
• Pour in the boiling wassail. If possible keep the bowl hot over a candle or alcohol burner. Ladle into punch cups and serve.