Wine Witch – Fantastic, Affordable Wine Suggestions

Wassail (Spiced Wine)

Contributing Author
Edward – The Wine Wizard

Wassail is a hot, spiced punch often associated with Christmas. Particularly popular in Germanic countries, the term itself is a contraction of the Middle English phrase wæs hæil, meaning “be healthy”. While the beverage typically served as “wassail” at modern holiday feasts resembles a mulled cider, historical wassail was completely different, more likely to be mulled beer or mead. Sugar, ale, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon would be placed in a bowl, heated, and topped with slices of toast as sops. Wikipedia

On-to the recipe…

To be honest there is no right or wrong recipe. Ive even seen some strange ones that call for 7up soda??? The best plan is to let your tastes decide the way to go.

In general we are looking for a spiced cider type flavor. This is reached by using a combination of the following spices, fruit and booze / wine. clove, allspice, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange / orange zest, lemon / lemon zest, apple, red wine nearly any mentioned on wine witch would work, dry sherry or dry Madeira or sweet vermouth even dark rum if that’s all you have around.

I’m going to provide a recipe that I find to have the balance of flavors that sticks to something close to the traditional.

• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 tsp allspice (or 4 – 6 if using allspice berries)
  
• 1tsp cinnamon (or a few sticks)
  
• 1tsp ginger (fresh grated is best)
• zest and juice of 2 oranges
• 3 cups apple cider or apple juice
• 1 cup fine white sugar
  
• 1 bottle red wine – (burgundy, shiraz, pinot noir should all work fine)
• 2 cups sweet vermouth or madeira

1. Place all your dry spices and zest in a tea infuser.  If you don’t have one of those, a coffee filter that you tie shut with string or an aluminum foil pouch poked with lots of holes work just as well.
2. Place your liquid ingredients in either a dutch over, crock pot or large enough pan to hold all the liquids.
3. Place the spice package in the liquid (this makes it easier to remove later.
4. Simmer on low heat for 20 – 40 minutes
   
5. Serve warm with cinnamon sticks as stirrers

If you modify the recipe please post back it would be interesting to know how yours turns out.

PS check back for more drink recipes soon!

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