Recipes in Season: Wassail

Wassail is an ancient tradition that dates back to medieval England and is closely associated with Christmas and the New Year, though it's particularly tied to the harvest season. The word "wassail" comes from the Old English phrase "waes hael", which means "be well" or "be healthy." Over time, this evolved into both a greeting and a drink.

In rural England, especially in the cider-producing regions, one of the key aspects of wassailing involved going into orchards to sing and chant around the apple trees. The idea was to bless the trees to ensure a good harvest the following year. In some versions of the tradition, people would pour a drink (wassail) around the roots of the trees or even make a toast to them while singing.

Wassailing also became a kind of carolling, where groups of people (called "wassailers") would go from house to house, singing songs of good health and prosperity. In exchange for their singing, they would be offered a drink of wassail. This practice was very similar to modern-day carolling.

The drink itself is typically a hot, spiced beverage made with cider, ale, or wine, and sometimes includes fruits like apples or oranges, along with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. It’s traditionally enjoyed during the colder months, particularly around Christmas and New Year's.

Ingredients:

• 4 litres of apple cider (or a mix of apple juice and hard cider for extra depth)
• 1/4 - 3/4 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 or 2 oranges, thinly sliced
• 1 or 2 apples, cored and sliced
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup lemon juice (optional, for a bit of tartness)
• 4-6 cloves (whole)
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp ground ginger (or a small piece of fresh ginger)

Putting it together:

1. In a large pot, combine the apple cider, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, allspice (if using), and sliced oranges and apples. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer.
3. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for about 30-45 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more the flavours meld together.

Ladle the wassail into mugs and enjoy!