Food & Cooking Recipes Drink Recipes Cocktail Recipes Wassail 3.1 (14) Add your rating & review By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 22, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Servings: 6 England's spin on the Christmas cocktail was the ancient beverage known as wassail, essentially Middle English for "cheers." The base alcohol was beer, mead, or wine, heated with sliced apples and spices and served in the customary wassail bowl. This version, scented with cloves and allspice, cleverly combines apples with cider and Calvados. Ingredients ¼ -inch-thick apple slices 2 tablespoons maple sugar plus more for sprinkling 4 allspice berries 2 whole cloves 1 cup fresh cider Two 12-ounce bottles ale, preferably Newcastle Brown Ale ½ cup Calvados Directions Sprinkle apple slices with maple sugar, and roast at 400 degrees for 15 minutes for garnish if desired. Combine allspice berries and cloves in a cheesecloth sachet. Heat cider and spice sachet over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes.Remove from heat; cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Stirin 2 tablespoons maple sugar, and heat over medium heatuntil it dissolves. Reduce heat to low and add ale. Heat for 8 minutes.Add Calvados and heat for 3 minutes more. Removesachet; discard. Divide among 4 to 6 heatproof glasses. Garnish with roasted apple slices if using. Rate it Print