Homemade Wassail

Name: Homemade Wassail
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups apple cider (or unfiltered apple juice, doctored up with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice); ½ inch nub of fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced; 2 lemons, sliced; 1 cinnamon stick; 3 star anise (optional, but they’re pretty!); ½ vanilla bean, slit down the middle with the insides scooped out (or ¼ ounce vanilla extract); Bourbon (plan on about 1 ½ ounces per drink. I used Jim Beam)

Description: Learn how to make wassail cocktails with real apple cider, ginger, lemon, spices and, of course, bourbon. Wassails are perfect for warming up on cold days! Recipe yields 4 to 6 cocktails, depending on how much of the warm cider mixture you use per drink.

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Ingredients

4 cups apple cider (or unfiltered apple juice, doctored up with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice)
½ inch nub of fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced
2 lemons, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
3 star anise (optional, but they’re pretty!)
½ vanilla bean, slit down the middle with the insides scooped out (or ¼ ounce vanilla extract)
Bourbon (plan on about 1 ½ ounces per drink. I used Jim Beam)

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine all of the nonalcoholic ingredients and simmer for at least thirty minutes, preferably over an hour.
Use a jigger or shot glass to measure bourbon into mugs. Pour in your hot spiced cider. Ideas for garnishing: cinnamon sticks, star anise, lemon slices and/or thinly sliced red apple (highly recommended).