BevX Cocktails
Wassail
Wassail is an Old Norse toast meaning "to be well.” Over time, it became a British winter tradition involving going door-to-door to sing, share a warm, spiced drink, and wish for a plentiful fall harvest. Originally, the drink was hot mulled ale or mead. Charles Dickens popularized this simple beverage in his classic, A Christmas Carol. Later, Wassail evolved into a cider-based Christmas Punch with a similar spice profile. Our version combines English Brown Ale and cider to craft a drink that Dickens would appreciate.
Ingredients
Two 12 oz. bottles of English Brown Ale
16 oz. of Apple Cider
1 apple
1 large orange peel
1 teaspoon of lemon zest
3 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1/3 cup brown sugar
fresh ground nutmeg for garnish
Occasion
Best enjoyed in the cool fall and winter months especially while caroling in Dickens inspired garb.
Method
Add the beer, cider, apples, lemon zest, orange peel, cinnamon, and anise into a pot and simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes, until the apples soften. Add brown sugar to taste and stir until dissolved, then remove from heat.
Serve warm in punch cups or mugs, garnishing each with freshly grated nutmeg and an apple slice.
Variations
Our version is a variation or hybrid of the oriiginal Ale based and modern cider-based versions.
Source: Classic British