Christmas Recipe: Apple Citrus Spirited Wassail

Remember the song, here we go a-wassailing? If you haven't had wassail before, you're in for a treat. Wassail is a tradition that goes back over a hundred years, putting the "spirits" in the Christmas spirit! While younger generations may not be as familiar with this Christmas tradition, your grandmother surely knows what wassail is. And it's actually quite easy to make - warm up your holiday cheer this Christmas Eve with an old Christmas tradition - which just may become a new one once you try it! The recipe below will serve a good-sized party, but feel free to cut down or increase the recipe as needed. (As an added bonus, your house will smell amazing while this is simmering! Please drink responsibly.)

Also, on a related note, we will not be posting next week, as we will be traveling and spending time with our families for the holidays. But be sure to check back on the 31st for some tasty New Year's Eve treats! In the meantime, have a wonderful, safe, fun, and of course YUMMY holiday!  :-)

Apple Citrus Spirited Wassail
(Makes about 2 gallons of wassail or about twenty 12-oz servings.)

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

1 gallon good apple cider
6 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon, washed and cut into wedges
1 orange, washed and cut into wedges
1 Tbsp whole cloves
1 Tbsp allspice
1 gallon white wine, room temperature
2 cups rum, room temperature

For garnish:
1 lemon, washed and sliced into thin circles, seeds removed
1 orange, washed and sliced into thin circles, seeds removed
cinnamon sticks

Directions:

1. Put apple cider, cinnamon sticks, lemon wedges, orange wedges, whole cloves, and allspice into a large (non reactive) pot.
2. Place over low heat, stir, and simmer slowly over very low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour the liquid through a fine mesh sieve to strain, then pour back into pot.
4. Add the wine, rum, and the slices of lemon and orange, stir and serve.
5. If the wassail cooled down too much when you added the spirits and fruit, you can warm it up on low just until heated again, but don't let boil.
6. Serve warm or hot in large mugs, making sure to get a slice or two of citrus in each serving. Add a cinnamon stick to each mug if desired for a 'swizzle stick.'