Wassail (Spiced cider)

With a splash of warming brandy, this spicy apple-flavoured brew helps fire up the appetite.

Australian Good Taste

Photography by Rob Palmer

• 1 orange
• 4 whole cloves
• 500ml (2 cups) apple juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3cm-piece fresh ginger, peeled, thinly sliced
• 6 cardamom pods, crushed
• Pinch of ground allspice
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• 750ml (3 cups) apple cider
• 180ml brandy
• 1 red apple, cored, thinly sliced

• Method

1. Step 1
   Stud the orange with cloves. Place in a large saucepan. Add apple juice, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Set aside for 30 minutes to infuse. Strain into a jug. Discard spices.
2. Step 2
   Return the apple juice mixture to the pan. Add the cider and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes or until it just starts to simmer. Divide the brandy and apple among heatproof serving glasses. Top with the cider mixture.
   Australian Good Taste - July 2010 , Page 78
   Recipe by Alison Adams
   taste.com.au