Spiked Wassail Food

WASSAIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spoon the sugar into the center of each apple, then place in a 9-inch square baking dish with 1 cup water. Bake until the apples are very tender, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the hard cider, pale ale, apple cider and Madeira to a large pot and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Put the cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, orange zest and lemon zest in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it closed. Add to the pot along with the ginger and nutmeg. Reduce the heat to low and steep the mixture until the liquid is well spiced and fragrant, about 1 hour.
• Add the cooked apples and any of their juices to the pot and stir to combine. Remove the cheesecloth. Serve warm in individual mugs with an orange wedge and cinnamon stick.

WASSAIL

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a low simmer and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes for the flavors to blend.
• Strain into serving mugs and serve warm.

CHRISTMAS WASSAIL

Steps:

• Pour apple cider, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice into a stockpot. Place orange slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, and cloves in a muslin pouch or directly into the apple cider mixture. Bring apple cider mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until flavors have blended, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove orange slices and spices before serving.

WASSAIL (WARM AUTUMN PUNCH)

Steps:

• In a large pot (at least 6 quarts or larger) whisk together apple cider, pineapple juice, orange juice and honey. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer 30 minutes.
• Strain and serve warm. Garnish if desired (see notes).

HOMEMADE WASSAIL

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine all of the nonalcoholic ingredients and simmer for at least thirty minutes, preferably over an hour.
• Use a jigger or shot glass to measure bourbon into mugs. Pour in your hot spiced cider. Ideas for garnishing: cinnamon sticks, star anise, lemon slices and/or thinly sliced red apple (highly recommended).

SPICED WASSAIL

Steps:

• Break the cinnamon stick into pieces, &--along with the whole cloves & whole allspice--tie the cinnamon pieces in a cheesecloth bag.
• Cut each orange in half.
• In a large covered saucepan, combine the cider, cranberry juice, sugar & orange bitters.
• Add the spice bag, oranges & rum extract, & simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove spices & pour into a warm serving bowl, leaving the oranges to float on top.

SPICED WASSAIL

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Discard the orange and lemon slices, cloves and cinnamon before serving.

WASSAIL

Steps:

• In a medium pot set over medium heat, add the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
• Ladle the wassail into mugs spiked with brandy or cognac, and garnish with spices and apple slices or orange wheels.

WASSAIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Stud oranges with whole cloves and place in a baking pan. Add water to cover bottom of the pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until oranges have softened, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place apple cider and cinnamon sticks into a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove lid and add pineapple juice, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and ground nutmeg. Return to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Pour into a punch bowl and float spiced oranges on top.