Tasty Thursday

Warm yourself from head to toe with this spiced cider from Small Parties by Marguerite Marceau Henderson. It's the perfect beverage to serve at any holiday gathering!

Wassail

1 quart apple cider

1 quart cranberry apple juice

1 can (12 ounces) orange juice concentrate

1 quart water

12 whole cinnamon sticks

12 to 15 whole cloves

1 tablespoon whole allspice

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 oranges, thinly sliced

2 lemons, thinly sliced

Garnish

12 to 15 whole cinnamon sticks

12 to 20 orange slices

In a large stockpot, bring the apple cider, cranberry apple juice, orange juice concentrate, and water to a simmer. In a 12-inch-square piece of cheesecloth, wrap the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice and tie with a piece of kitchen string. Place in the pot with cider and juices and add the ground nutmeg and orange and lemon slices. Simmer, covered, for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours, to allow spices to infuse the juices. Serve the wassail in mugs with a cinnamon stick and orange slice as a garnish. Makes about 4 quarts.