Red-Wine Wassail

This is a great way to serve wassail for a group of good friends; the apples are a terrific addition but not necessary, and the recipe is easily halved. If you have leftover wassail, reheat it gently in the microwave.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 12-16

Ingredients

• 3  cups  apple juice
• 2⁄3 cup white sugar
• 2⁄3 cup  slivered almonds
• 1⁄2 cup seedless raisin
• 2  quarts red wine
• 2  cinnamon sticks
• 24  whole cloves

• Garnish

• 6  apples, cored
• 18  tablespoons white sugar
•  whole cloves

Directions

1. In a large saucepan or kettle, combine the apple juice, sugar, almonds and raisins; slowly stir in the red wine.
2. Take a large piece of cheesecloth and place the cinnamon sticks and 24 whole cloves on it; with string, tie it up to make a small bundle and drop this into the red wine mixture.
3. Heat slowly over low heat; don't let it boil.
4. Meanwhile, make this unique garnish: stuff the centre of each apple with 3 tbsp sugar and stick each apple with a few whole cloves.
5. Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and place the apples in it; bake, covered, at 350F for 45 minutes.
6. Bake the apples about an hour or so before you want to serve the wassail.
7. Pour the heated wassail into a large punch bowl, discarding the spice bag, and then add the baked apples; they are a treat for those still around when the wassail is gone!