Serves a Crowd

Wassail Punch (a classic punch from a long time ago)

by:
December 20, 2010
5
2 Ratings
  • Serves Eight or fewer if you are adventurous
Author Notes

This recipe hails from the days of General George Washington. His troops were headquartered in Morristown, NJ, specifically Jockey Hollow, where I live. This area is historic, as it is the location of the first National Historical Park in America. The troops froze and starved here. They were not a happy bunch. Down the hill in Morristown, a very different scene played out. The residents of the Ford Mansion enjoyed Wassail Punches. After all it was General Washington in attendance! Wassails are very popular today as evidenced by the Tales of the Cocktail's Tales of the Toddy held last weekend. —warren_bobrow

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 quarts 2 quarts fresh unfiltered apple juice
  • 1/2 liter Laird’s Apple Brandy
  • 1/2 liter Siesta Key Dark Rum
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed smoked lemon juice (smoke lemons over wood fire, then squeeze for unique flavor)
  • 10 pieces whole cloves crushed to release their secrets
  • 1 pinch allspice
  • 2 pieces cinnamon sticks
  • 1 piece freshly shaved ginger
  • 1 piece freshly ground nutmeg
Directions
  1. Wassail Punch Combine apple brandy, rum, apple, orange juice and lemon juice In a slow cooker or a large ancient cast pot over low heat. Season with smashed cloves, shaved ginger and freshly grated nutmeg. Bring to a simmer. If using a slow cooker, allow to simmer all day.
Tags:
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • warren_bobrow
    warren_bobrow
  • Sagegreen
    Sagegreen
  • Annelle
    Annelle

Popular on Food52

4 Reviews

warren_bobrow
warren_bobrow December 21, 2010
I wish I could publish my milk punch.. It's woven with Bourbon for a morning cocktail with eye opening qualities.

http://www.servedraw.com/2010/11/milk-punch/
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen December 21, 2010
Love wassail. I prefer glass cups or mugs with handles, and now wish I had not sold my sets while downsizing! I only have my stem wine glasses left, which I would not really use for serving hot drinks either, (but only for my photos).
 
Annelle
Annelle December 21, 2010
Warren, this is right down your alley! Wish we were going to enjoy a mug together.
Happy, Happy Holidays!
 
warren_bobrow
warren_bobrow December 20, 2010
I most certainly would never serve a hot drink in a glass. Use a ceramic mug with a handle.