Christmas Wassail Recipe
But before that time, my mother (whom God blesses for many reasons, this one not the least) got a copy of the recipe, so that my family always enjoys the Wassail at this time of year, and I can pass on a little of a beloved childhood to my own children.
The juice of 2 lemons
4 cups orange juice
4 2” sticks of cinnamon
2 tablespoons whole cloves
2 tablespoons ground allspice
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2 quarts apple ciderCombine all ingredients except the apple cider in a stock pot on the stove. Putting the cloves and the cinnamon in a tea infuser or cheesecloth helps contain the dregs. Simmer mixture for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the apple cider to a light boil in another pot. Then, mix apple cider into the main pot. Bring the entire mixture to a light boil again. It is now ready to serve, or can be left on low on the stove for an afternoon or evening.
This recipe can be easily multiplied for larger gatherings. It helps to save the apple cider bottles so that any leftovers can be saved and refrigerated. It is easily reheated in the microwave in a coffee mug, and still tastes great!
Josh, I had forgotten The Hanging of the Greens service! Thanks for bringing back a good memory and sharing the recipe!
Good memories for me, too. I’ll be making this recipe in Madison, WI !
We use the same recipe! We slice an orange & a lemon & let them float in the cider. We also “cook” it in the crock pot sometimes (it’s handier.) Boil the cider on the stove then transfer to the crockpot on high for a while (it doesn’t really boil,) then down to low for the rest of the day. In college, I even made a small batch in my coffee pot – though I strongly recommend following with a pot of clean water right after!
I’ve been wanting some and now I REALLY do. Mmmmmm…
We also have used the crockpot method you recommend, especially for serving at tastings or places where no stove is handy. Where did you find the recipe? I’ve never discovered where the church found it…
How well I remember these services and really miss them, too! (Especially the part where we soaked sugar cubes in lemon extract instead of real “booze” and then said a prayer that they would light and stay lit while everyone paraded their plum puddings around the sanctuary!)
At our church in Middletown, MD we no longer have a formal service to decorate, but the Worship Cmt takes care of all of this on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent. (We don’t do a Hanging of the Greens, since we have a family named Green…and you guessed it…we don’t Deck the Halls either, since we have another family of them!
Love your postings…keep them coming!
“Ms.” Lisa