Wassail that old English, Norman, Welsh 14th. century, really olde alcoholic beverage. Winter imbibement. It’s been around a really long time!
Recipe For Wassail Punch
2 quarts of apple juice or apple cider
2 cups of orange juice
1/2 cup of lemon juice – or less, adjust to taste
12 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
One pinch of ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer. Refrigerate and let it set for 24 hours.
It’s an interesting history on the evolution and origins of the warm winter drink. Likely originated to honour the apple trees, a long time, long time ago.
And, to be thoroughly candid there are as many recipes as there are varieties of apples.
Therefore don’t be confused when you hear of such drinks as glugwein, vin Chad, glug, mulled wine, FEUERZANGENBOWLE. The principle is the same …… wine, fruit juice (usually apple along with more wine! More often than not you’ll be invited to add, as the Germans refer to it …. mit schuss. Meaning with optional shot, such as dark rum, whiskey, etc.
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| FEUERZANGENBOWLE Or, Fire Tongs Punch |
My favourite, when entertaining, is the Feuerzanganbowle. As you can see it is the traditional mulled wine. But accompanied by a cone of sugar, soaked in high proof rum and the voila, you try to carefully light it, very carefully, in an appropriate environment. The first time I prepared it I had my trusted associate, David, with me. We did it outside on the deck and brought the drinks inside.The girlfriend and I first experienced it in Wien Austria, served by the Master Bartender of the hotel bar, Ritz-Carlton.
Merry Christmas Joyous Holiday Joyeux Noelle Frohe Weihnachten Καλά Χριστούγεννα
Buon Natale
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