On Winter Solstice you can build a bonfire and sing songs with a mug of Solstice Wassail – recipe below:

Its long steeping time envelops your home in the cozy scent of cinnamon and cloves. Adding a liquor like brandy, to taste, will put some spirits in your holiday spirit. Serves 6–8.

2 pints and 1/4 cup brown ale or winter ale

3 or 4 cinnamon sticks

4 cloves

zest from half a lemon

4 apples

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 cup port

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground all spice

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a large saucepan, pour in two pints of ale. Add the cinnamon sticks, lemon zest and cloves and bring to a simmer over low heat.

Score apples around their circumferences with a knife. Place in a baking dish. Cover with 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup of ale and all of the port. Cover baking dish and place in oven, cooking for 30 minutes.

While apples are baking, place remaining sugar and spices into the saucepan, ensuring it’s well mixed.

When apples are done baking, place entire contents of baking dish into saucepan. Allow to cook over a low heat for another 30–40 minutes.

Enjoy hot in mugs.

#WinterSolstice #Ritual #Recipe

Photography by Jill Rubidoux