This time of year, when every instinct says to stay indoors, there are a few outdoor festivals that are worth braving the cold. Among them is the annual Holiday Wassail event at Terhune Orchards outside Lawrenceville, N.J., when the farm/winery invites the public to help honor their apple trees in an ancient British custom.
Wassailing the apple trees is a way to thank them for the bounty of the recent season and wish them another good harvest the following fall. At the Terhune event it means banging pots and pans together, chanting and singing to scare away evil spirits, and soaking bits of bread in cider as a gift to the trees. Humans get their share of cider too, plus marshmallows for roasting. Mainly it’s a reason to be outdoors and a chance to have a good time. For more on the event see the website terhuneorchards.com.
The word wassail reportedly is derived from the Old Norse “ves heil” and the Old English “hal.” Both mean to be in good health or be fortunate.
While the folks at Terhune Orchards serve their own hot cider, a traditional British wassail is an alcoholic drink made with hard liquor, apples, brandy and spices. Recipes vary and some include orange and lemon juices like the non-alcoholic recipe shown below, while others include pineapple juice.
You don’t have to be thanking apple trees to hoist a cup of wassail; a friend recently gave us a delightful version she had made from a recipe that included cranberry juice. We toasted to our good friendship.
Any wassail is a terrific warm punch for those coming in from the cold, whether they have been skiing, making snow people, walking the dog or just playing outside.
This recipe is from tastesbetterfromscratch.com. It is easy to make, and if you prefer an alcoholic version, just add a splash of whisky, brandy or rum.
2 apples
8 cups apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1/3 cup lemon juice
4 cinnamon sticks
15 whole whole cloves, or ½ tsp ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon light brown sugar, optional
1. Poke the whole cloves into the apples on all sides.
2. Add all of the ingredients, including the apples, to a large pot over medium low heat.
3. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
4. Remove the apples and whole cloves. Ladle into mugs and enjoy.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also make this in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to heat and enjoy.
This recipe from accidentalhappybaker.com takes just 5 minutes to put together.
2 quarts apple juice
1 quart cranberry juice
1 (46 ounces) can pineapple juice
1 orange
20 to 25 whole cloves
5 cinnamon sticks
1. Slice the orange into 4 to 5 slices. Push 4 to 5 cloves into each orange slice and set aside.
2. Add the juices to a 5-to-6 quart crockpot.
3. Add the oranges and cinnamon sticks to the juice mixture. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Serve hot.
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