To wassail is to toast to health. Wassailing refers to an old English tradition that involve singing and drinking to the health of the apple trees on the Twelfth Night. The intention is too awaken the trees and scare bad spirits away from the orchards with the hope of blessing them for an abundant crop for the next season. It is a celebration of winter that is full of revelry and this is a perfect beverage to drink around a fire, indoors or out. Make some up to share with friends and neighbors and enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful crisp winter day. Or serve after a day of snow play or activities on the slopes and enjoy it in front of a warm fire in your home.
Apple Cider Wassail
1 rokz Wild Hibiscus Infusion Kit
1 pint rum (We like to use local spirits so for an Oregon twist we suggest Rogue Spirits Dark Rum or Vivacity Traditional Rum but any mellow rum will suffice.
Pour the rum into the bottle and let infuse 2-3 days, put it in the freezer if you want it to get stronger faster…
Put aside for after the cider is warm.
1/2 gallon unfiltered apple juice
2 rokz Cinnamon Spice Infusion Flavor Packs
2 Valencia oranges
2 crisp apples such as pink lady, granny smith, or honey crisp
Slice oranges into 1/4 inch rounds, reserve some of these for garnishing the drinks. Remove core from apples and slice into ½ inch wedges
Put ingredients from flavor packs in a small muslin bag or fashion your own out of cheesecloth by cutting an 8 inch by 4 inch piece, folding it over so you have a square. Place the ingredients on top of that and tie it closed with twine. Place the fruit and flavor packet in a slow cooker, add the apple cider, and cook on high for about 2 hours, then turn to low for another hour. By now your house will smell delicious!
To serve, use a wedge of orange to dampen the edge of the mug and rim the cup with rokz Cranberry Infused Sugar. Next, ladle the cider (you may want to use a strainer if you did not use a sachet for the spices) into the mug and add 2 oz. of the infused Hibiscus rum.
Makes 6-8 servings
“Indeed, it is in this sense the most civilized of all trees. It is as harmless as a dove, as beautiful as a rose, and as valuable as flocks and herds.” Henry David Thoreau “Wild Apples” Essay 1862