wassail
The smell of apple cider simmering with oranges, pineapple and spices meant the holidays in our house. Every year, my mom would make her version of Wassail for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. In the evenings, we would drink this warm, spicy beverage while enjoying dessert and playing games: a tradition that we continue to this day.
Meet Our Executive Chef
The Recipe
Wassail
- 1/2 gallon apple cider (we use Stuckey Farm’s cider) or apple juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 orange, cut in half and then sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 Tbsp whole cloves
- 5 juniper berries
- Combine all ingredients in a stock pot. Bring to a simmer then cook on low for 30 minutes or until the flavor of the spices have infused the juice.
- Serve warm with a half slice of orange.
Note: If the cider is thicker, sometimes I add 1-2 cups of water to thin it out. Wassail may also be made in a crock pot. Combine all ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Yield: 10 – 8 ounce portions
