The holidays are the perfect time to try new and delicious recipes.  We found one that a lot of people don't know about but need to add to their list for serving-IT'S DELISH!

WHAT IS WASSAIL?

If you are an apple cider fan you are going to fa la la la love Wassail.

Here's how tastesbetterfromscratch.com describes it;

Wassail is like the tastier sister to Apple Cider. Traditional wassail was made with hard liquor, apples, brandy, and other spices. This recipe is made with cloves, apples, cinnamon, lemon, orange, ginger, and nutmeg and is a nonalcoholic wassail recipe.

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Apparently, this is an English Yuletide tradition that was part of the holidays and door-to-door charity giving or a way of ensuring a good harvest the next year according to Wikipedia.

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A FAMILY TRADITION IN OUR HOME

My first experience with wassail was at a friend's house.  We had a potluck and this is one of the items that were on the member that they made for the party.  I had never had it but when I walked into their home it smelled completely amazing.  I immediately asked what it was and they said Wassail.  I thought it was an air freshener.  I was delighted to find out it was in fact, a yummy drink for enjoying.  Since then it has graced our family get-togethers each year around the holidays.  It is actually a number one request from the kids.

RECIPES FOR WASSAIL

Welsh Wassail

1 carton of Aspen Mulled Cider Mix (Reid's Orchard) they have different flavors
1 gallon of local orchard cider (I prefer Reid's Orchard)
4-6 cinnamon sticks
1 half teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1 whole orange sliced

Optional:  Cranberries (YUM and they make the house smell amazing!)

Place cider mix and apple cider in a large pot and bring to a rolling low boil.  Add the rest of the ingredients and turn to a very low heat let simmer for an hour.  Serve hot!

 

Traditional Wassail
8 cups apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 whole cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves or 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Put all the ingredients into a large pot or crockpot and let simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours.  Serve hot!

 

Grandma's Wassail
2 gallons apple cider
2 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup white sugar
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
1 teaspoon whole cloves

Place all ingredients except cinnamon and cloves into a large pot and place on low-medium heat.  Add cinnamon and cloves and simmer for 15 minutes.

Even Paula Deen makes Wassail.

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