Wassail
Wine · Mulled-wine mug
The English Christmas punch named for the Old-English 'waes hael' (be of good health) — spiced ale, cider, and sherry with baked apples bobbing on top.
| Glass | Mulled-wine mug |
| Garnish | None |
| ABV | 8% |
| Category | holiday |
| Flavor | spiced, warm, holiday, english |
Ingredients
- English Ale4 oz
- Hard Apple Cider2 oz
- Dry Sherry1 oz
- Brown Sugar1 tbsp
- Cinnamon Stick1 piece
- Whole Cloves3 pieces
- Baked Apple Half1 piece
- Ground Nutmeg1 pinch
Method
- Warm ale, cider, and sherry with spices and sugar over low heat 20 minutes
- Add baked-apple halves to the pot in the last 5 minutes
- Ladle into mugs, float an apple half on top
- Dust with grated nutmeg
Pro Tips
- Bake apples ahead — skin-on, cored, 350°F for 45 minutes. They'll float and be softly spiced.
- English brown ale (Newcastle, Samuel Smith) is traditional; American pale ale is too hoppy.
- Never let it boil — the ale foams and the sherry's finesse vanishes.