Traditional English Wassail – Mulled Cider
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| Serves | serves 6 to 8 people |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 15 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Meal type | Beverage |
| Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Christmas, Formal Party, Halloween |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen Burns-Booth |
A traditional English Wassail recipe that originates from Suffolk which is a delectable hot, spiced mulled cider with sherry and port and is served with the all important baked apples. A Yorkshire version called "Lamb's Wool" is made with ale instead of cider and is served when the apples have burst, so the pulp looks like lamb's wool in the mulled ale.
Ingredients
- 6 small apples, cored
- 6 teaspoons soft brown sugar
- 1 orange
- 6 cloves
- 200g caster sugar
- 2 litres cider
- 300mls port
- 300mls sherry or Madeira
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 lemon, halved
Note
A traditional English Wassail recipe that originates from Suffolk which is a delectable hot, spiced mulled cider with sherry and port and is served with the all important baked apples. A Yorkshire version called "Lamb's Wool" is made with ale instead of cider and is served when the apples have burst, so the pulp looks like lamb's wool in the mulled ale.
Directions
| Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. |
| Step 2 | Cut around the middle of each apple with a sharp knife and place them in an oven proof dish. Fill each apple core cavity with a teaspoon of sift brown sugar. Stick the cloves in the orang and place it with the apples in the dish. Add a little water, about 6 tablespoons and roast in the pre-heated oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are soft but still retain their shape. |
| Step 3 | Leave the apples in the dish to keep warm and take the orange out - cut it in half and place it on a large sauce pan. Add the rest of the ingredients and the juices from the apple roasting dish to the sauce pan and gently heat until the sugar has dissolved. |
| Step 4 | Bring the mixture to the boil and then turn it down immediately and keep it warm until you need to serve it. |
| Step 5 | When you are ready to serve the wassail, ladle the fruit and spiced into a large punch bowl and then pour the wassail into the bowl. Add the apples by floating them on top and serve straight away in warmed mugs or cups. |
| Step 6 | The apples can be eaten afterwards as a delectable dessert with cream or custard. |
