Wassail

To make a nonalcoholic version of this recipe, substitute additional apple juice for the sherry and ale.

Serves 20

Ingredients:

• 6 cups apple juice
• 2 cups cranberry juice or lemonade
• 6 cups orange juice
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups semisweet sherry
• 2 (12-ounce) bottles of ale
• 4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 lemon
• 12 whole allspice berries
• 1 tablespoon chopped candied ginger
• Optional: 1 tablespoon aromatic bitters

1. Add the apple juice, cranberry juice or lemonade, orange juice, brown sugar, water, sherry, ale, and cinnamon sticks to a 4-quart slow cooker.
2. Stud the orange with the whole cloves, cut the orange and lemon into quarters and remove any seeds, and add to the slow cooker.
3. Add the allspice berries and candied ginger to a muslin spice bag or a piece of cheesecloth that has been rinsed and wrung dry; secure with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the juices in the cooker. Stir in the bitters if using.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Remove cinnamon sticks, spice bag, and orange and lemon wedges before serving.

Slow-Cooking Alcoholic Beverages

If you’re in a hurry and want to bring an alcoholic punch to temperature quicker, you can begin the slow-cooking process on high; however, be sure to watch the punch carefully and be sure that you switch the cooker to low before the liquids come to a boil.