Wassail is a dish almost unheard of today. Yet in Victorian times, it was still ever prevalent.

Historically, Wassail would refer to a festival meant to ensure an abundant harvest of cider apples in the following Autumn. Yet, as it was associated with Yule, many would incorporate it into their Christmas festivities.

For the following recipe, I feel obligated to credit the website paganwiccan.about.com:

So – to start, we will need the proper ingredients. These are as follows:

• 1 Gallon apple cider
• 2 C. cranberry juice
• 1/2 C honey
• 1/2 C sugar
• 2 oranges
• Whole cloves
• 1 apple, peeled and diced
• Allspice
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• 3 cinnamon sticks (or 3 Tbs. ground cinnamon)
• 1/2 C – 1 C brandy (optional)

So, we have all of these wonderful ingredients, but how do we make this concoction? Well, to make it, we have to have a crockpot. We will want to set this crockpot to it’s low setting, and pour all the apple cider, cranberry juice, honey and sugar in, mixing carefully. We will want to stir this up as the crockpot heats, and watch the materials dissolve. After this, we will add the diced appl, and a couple of tablespoons of allspice, ginger and nutmeg to taste. Finally, snap the cinnamon sticks in half and add those as well.

Following this, you will want to cover your pot and allow it to simmer 2 – 4 hours on low heat. About half an hour prior to serving, if you like, add the brandy.