Wassail is a centuries-old English hot punch tradition — apple juice heated with whole oranges, lemons, lime, and cloves. The name comes from the Old English ‘waes hael’ meaning ‘be well,’ and wassailing was a holiday ritual of going door to door offering the warm, spiced drink. This version keeps it simple with apple juice as the base.

Ingredients

1 gal apple juice
2 oranges
2 lemons
1 lime
1 tbsp cloves
1 tbsp allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 qt water
1 cup sugar

Instructions

Heat the water to boiling.
Cut the lemons and oranges (and lime if using) in half and squeeze the juice into a separate bowl to save, throw the skins and pulp into the boiling water.
Add spices and simmer for one hour.2.
Remove the cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, allspice and save to one side.
Using a slotted spoon or strainer remove the citrus peels and pulp and the remaining spices.
Return the cinnamon sticks and saved spices to the water.
Add the apple juice or cider and return to heat.3.
When boiling remove from heat and add the citrus juice and sugar.
Simmer very lightly for another 10 minutes and serve.
Delicious!