I love making wassail during the holidays, mostly for the aroma that permeates throughout the holiday house. It would be mighty expensive to keep a wassail bowl simmering throughout the season. Instead, try this spicy aromatic concoction to keep your house smelling restive.
You can see the original recipe here.
Christmas Simmering Spices
Keep the house smelling with all sweetness and spice during this holiday season.
Ingredients
- 3 cinnamon sticks (three inches long)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/4. c whole cloves
- 1/2 t. ground nutmeg*
- 4 lemon slices (or dried lemons)
- 1 quart filtered water
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in medium saucepan.
- Simmer on low heat.
- Add more water as needed. (Mixture can be refrigerated and reheated over three days.)
Use dried fruit and package for gift giving.
Instead of the ground nutmeg, I used some remnants of fresh nutmeg that were getting too small to grate.
We kept this on the stove through most of Christmas last year. This “recipe” is pretty versatile. As we peeled and ate those “cute” mandarin oranges that are in season now, we also would throw in some of their peels, too.
(I guess you could add apple cider with these spices and have a hot drink as well.)
Sounds wonderful and I do love all those spices!
They always remind me of the holidays.
This looks great — so aromatic. Love the idea of including mandarin orange peels, too. Very festive — thanks. Happy Holidays!
It would only be better if apple cider was added for wassail! Happy holidays to you and yours, John.
Great aromatic idea! People with radiators or pot-belly stoves keep such a mixture going on these appliances too … no extra fuel needed. And it also solves the problem of wintery dry air. Not to mention being festive (which I think you meant, not restive.)
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
We had a would burning stove growing up and mom would always throw some citrus and spice in a pot during the holidays. One of the nephews came in when my sister was using this mix and when asked if he wanted a hot drink he said, “Yes, I’ll have whatever that smell is.” He got hot chocolate. 🙂