By Cat, Christmas 2017
These are traditional warming beverages at Christmastime or winter in general, along with Eggnog or Tom & Jerry.
Speaking of the latter, my Mom used to make the Tom and Jerry batter using fresh eggs and sugar, for use in making Tom & Jerry drinks for sale in our bar during the Christmas season. My Dad made the rum and liqueur mix that was added to the Tom & Jerry drink. I wish I had those recipes, but they are long lost… I loved to help Mom, especially because I got to lick the beaters, and then when the mess was all cleaned up, Dad made me the drink, but with root beer added instead of the rum mix.
- Includes: 1. Wassail; 2. Hot Mulled Cider;
- See also: 1. Beverages Menu; 2. Holiday Menu
Wassail
“Here we come a wassailing among the leaves so green…”
This recipe is from iHerb’s page for Frontier-brand dried lemon peel granules (iHerb code FRO-18429). Wassail is a traditional English Christmas drink; a hearty hot beverage, good for brisk winter weather. Add beer and/or sherry for a more spirited drink.
Recipe
- 1 cup apple raspberry juice
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup strong green tea
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- two 3-inch sticks cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp lemon peel*
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 tsp star anise whole
- 1 apple, cored and cut into pieces
‘*NOTE: I am looking into the weight equivalence of dried peel granules and fresh peel, and will update the recipe as soon as I get an answer.
Simmer all ingredients together until sugar is dissolved and beverage is hot. Strain and serve. Add sherry or beer, for a more spirited drink, if desired.
Hot Mulled Cider
This recipe is from iHerb’s page for Frontier-brand dried orange peel granules (Herb code FRO-18431). This recipe makes 6 – 8 servings, with each serving including 3 – 4 Tbsp honey or sugar, which is a lot. I would use stevia with just a little bit of honey, instead, noting that stevia loses much of its bitterness when used with fruits.
Ingredients
- 2 lemon peels, in large strips*
- 2 orange peels, in large strips*
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 1 1/4 cups raw local honey, Rapadura or turbinado sugar or raw sugar (or 1/2 tsp powdered stevia extract plus up to 1/4 cup raw local honey)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice, heated
- 2 quarts good quality apple cider
- 24 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Garnish: cinnamon sticks
‘*NOTE: I am looking into the weight equivalence of dried peel granules and fresh peel, and will update the recipe as soon as I get an answer.
Method
In large saucepan combine the lemon peels, orange peels, and 2 cinnamon sticks with desired sweetener and water. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir well to ensure all the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer an additional 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and strain through a fine strainer or several layers of cheesecloth. Place back over low heat and add the warm lemon juice and the cider. Heat until hot but not boiling over.
Serve in mugs with an additional cinnamon stick.
