Dating from the Middle Ages, Wassail is an old English toasting punch. Wassail takes it's name from a salutation, Wass hael, which translates as "be in good health." It is typically served in a wassail bowl and is passed around, with wass hael cheers greeting each guest. There are several variations, from red wine to ale, sherry, brandy, tea and differing juices. This recipe combines beer (more than likely the traditional base) with cider, which is how it is more commonly thought of today, and comes from Mittie Hellmich's excellent Ultimate Bar Book:
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Juice of 1 orange, plus peel
- Juice of 1 lemon, plus peel
- 8 oz hot water
- 32 oz brown ale
- 12 oz hard cider
6-01-2008 @3:32PM Mike said... Recently went on a cruise to the Carribean and the wife had a drinkn called Frozen Ocean, it was pretty tasty and went down very smooth, but we cant find the recipe for it here in the States unless its called something else here, can anyone help out ?
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11-15-2007 @8:38PM russ said... can't find anyone or any info about 'HARD CIDER'---
what is it exactly -- how do i find it--help
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11-15-2007 @9:45PM chrissy said... Hard Cider is apple cider that has fermented into an alcoholic drink. It can be found at wine supply stores as well as supermarkets depending on if your supermarket carries alcohol. You can also ask your local liquour store where you may be able to get it, but it is generally in the beer section.
And it's delicious! Nothing like a beer flavor, kind of like a fizzy apple tasting wine flavor. Woodchuck is the popular brand. Good luck!
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11-16-2007 @3:51PM Natawna said... You should be able to find Hard Cider at any of your local liquor stores. Usually near the wine section.
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11-16-2007 @4:59PM Anne said... You can make your own Hard Cider. Use regular apple cider (not apple Juice). Read the label to make sure it contains no preservative. Just let the apple cider sit in it's jug in a cool place (not fridge)for a week or two. Mage sure the bottle top is removed or it will blow up. It is the best drink there is. There is nothing like a Hard Cider high!
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11-24-2007 @5:29PM DEDE ROSS said... Thanks guys for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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11-30-2007 @8:48PM Cindy said... The absolute best hard cyder is Wyders Cyder made in canada and shipped into the US. It comes in several varieties: Apple, Pear, Peach, and Rasberry. http://www.wyders.com/
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12-01-2007 @12:33AM gene said... My favorite is Dickens apple cider. Nothing warms me on a cool winter night like brandy and my hot Dickens cider.
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11-30-2007 @10:19PM cacashitminjilee said... i love this recipe.
its good.....
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11-30-2007 @10:32PM Jennifer said... Hornsbys Hard Cider is my favorite. I know that Publix and ABC carries it so it's pretty easy to come by.
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11-30-2007 @10:41PM Jake said... My wife also enjoys a hot Dickens' Cider on a cold night.
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11-30-2007 @10:53PM walter said... I love hard cider but i'm not familiar with ales, any suggestions for a guy in california?
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12-01-2007 @11:45AM henry said... this combination of ale and hard cider reminds me of a drink i enjoyed in london years ago called a "snake bite". this drink was equal parts ale and hard cider poured into a pint glass that had been drizzled with red currant syrup. it was rumored to have been an outlawed drink because of some reaction between the two brews that made you buzz very quickly. they used dickens cider or woodpecker, both are better than woodchuck. you can get some great micro brewed hard cider from local orchards.
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11-30-2007 @11:06PM Thearo said... You will find ale near the beer
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11-30-2007 @11:10PM howie feldersnatch said... there is nothing better than a hot dickens cider for recipies.
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11-30-2007 @11:59PM Cindy said... #7 and #8... I knew that was coming....LOL
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12-01-2007 @1:56AM Anne said... When we came back home after Thanksgiving with family in Nacogdoches...we stopped at a Shell station for gas and I told my kids how that locaction was a country store at one time that sold the best cider...it came in a variety of flavors...such great memories of my grandpaarents.
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12-01-2007 @4:20AM jb said... teh beverage was advertised in an apple,,..very appealing, then the recipe calls for a mug,,, what an insult
can you pour the hot beverage into a split apple as you advertised, and, any tips on how to split the apple? thanks
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12-01-2007 @7:53AM Chrissy said... So....where do I find a Wassail bowl?
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12-01-2007 @11:49AM Patty said... What kid of beer goes best with this recipe? Perhaps BlueMoon since it has the citrisy taste? Is that a brown ale though?
Help please! :)
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