Here We Come A Wassailing

A tradition from Great Britain.... celebrating Christmastime and many happy tidings...
The word wassail literally means to be wealthy... it is a toasted goodwill. In years past wassailing mainly involved people singing carols from door to door. The carolers would carry a bowl of wassail, which was a hot mulled cider, or some kind of mulled wine or apple based beverage. Often people floated a piece of toasted bread on the top of the steaming wassail... which was the origin of our modern day expression " I would like to propose a toast." When carolers entered homes they shared their wassail and received eats... At this time wishes for a merry Christmas and happy tiding for a New Year would be exchanged by all. Farmers went from farm to farm pouring wassail on the roots of trees while making lots of noise to scare off bad spirits responsible for door to door singing and drinking becoming a Christmas tradition....

Spiced Apple Cider
1 gallon apple cider... If you want milder use apple juice...
2 tablespoon whole cloves
2 tablespoons whole allspice
6 cinnamon sticks
orange slices with peel
Piece of cheesecloth....
Tie spices in cheesecloth. drop spices and oranges into cider in pan and heat till spices have mulled..... on low heat at least 40 minutes....
There are also many mulled cider mixes available at a larger cost in stores......

Christmas is known as one of the most popular holidays of the calendar year, although can be one of the most stressful and depressing for many.
Why not try this old tradition and sit back and enjoy some mulled cider with family and friends and enjoy all that surrounds you.....