Somerset Wassail Cup
A fragrant winter punch of traditional Somerset dry cider infused with warming spices, roasted apples, and dark brown sugar.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Equipment
- •Apple corer
- •Baking tray
- •Greaseproof paper
- •Large saucepan
- •Ladle
- •Heatproof mugs
Nutrition
Per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 215 kcal
- fat
- 0.3 g
- carbs
- 28 g
- fibre
- 2.1 g
- protein
- 0.6 g
- calories
- 215 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your fan oven to 180°C.
- 2
Core the apples from the top, leaving the bottom base intact.
- 3
Mix half the brown sugar with the ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- 4
Pack the cinnamon-sugar tightly into the cored apple cavities.
- 5
Place apples on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.
- 6
Bake for 20 minutes until the apple skins burst and soften.
- 7
Pour the cider into a large saucepan over low hob heat.
- 8
Add orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger, nutmeg, and remaining sugar.
- 9
Heat gently for 15 minutes without boiling, infusing the spices.
- 10
Stir in the cider brandy just before taking off the heat.
- 11
Float the hot roasted apples gently into the spiced cider.
- 12
Ladle the steaming cider and apple pieces into heatproof mugs.
Chef's tips
Always use still, cloudy farmhouse cider rather than sweet commercial fizzy cider for the best rustic balance. Never let the cider reach a rolling boil, as this removes the fragrant apple notes and evaporates the alcohol.
Ingredient substitutions
- Somerset cider brandy → dark rum
- traditional Somerset dry still cider → cloudy pressed apple juice (for non-alcoholic)
Storage
Strain the liquid, cool completely, and refrigerate in a sealed bottle or jar for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat on the hob until steaming hot, without boiling.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Boiling the punch vigorously, which scorches spices and boils off alcohol.
- •Using heavily sweetened cider, resulting in a cloying and unbalanced drink.
- •Baking the apples too long until they disintegrate completely into mush.
Serving suggestions
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