We are definitely a cocoa family, but we also love Wassail. My kids hadn't had it for a while, so we made a batch. Tis' the Season. It is good for cold weather with or without holidays, but drinking a mug of Wassail by the fire and under the glow of a Christmas tree brings a special kind of magic.
You don't need much to make Wassail: water, sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and cinnamon sticks. You can also add apple cider if you like as well. Optional: cut orange slices and add cloves to the peel to float in the pan.
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups cugar
4 cinnamon sticks
add together, simmer 10 min
1 quart water
1 quart cranberry juice
1 pint orange juice
2 T lemon juice
add to pan and simmer 30+ minutes
Start with mixing 2 cups of water with 1.5 cups of sugar over low heat
Stir until clear and then add the 4 cinnamon sticks and simmer about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, check the pot, the sugar water should have taken on some of the color of the cinnamon sticks.
You can now pour all the juices into a container like I did and then pour into the pot, or you can just pour them directly into your pot. I used 32 ounces of water, 32 ounces of cranberry juice, 16 ounces orange juice, 2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice. Simmer for at least 30 minutes.
Pour into mugs and enjoy! The longer it simmers, the more it will take on the flavor on the cinnamon sticks.
Having it the next day is even better. Enjoy!