In the end, Ebenezer Scrooge joined the human race--and his nephew's party--in Charles Dickens' great book, A Christmas Carol. No doubt, old Scrooge drank wassail, a punch that appears in song ("Here We Come A-Wassailing") as well as story. Wassail is perhaps the first and greatest of the spirits served in British homes at Christmastide. But there are others.
Following are recipes for two home-made British punches, and suggestions based on a recent tasting and Charles Steevenson Wines, Ltd. Wine merchants in Tavistock, Devon, England, for far simpler, but equally delicious, libations to purchase for the happy day.
Traditional Wassail
This recipe is adapted from Favourite Christmas Recipes: Traditional Seasonal Fare.
- 4 small eating apples
- 2 cloves
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup cream sherry
- 1 cup cocktail sherry
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 9 cups brown ale
- Rind of two oranges, peeled thinly
Set oven to 350 degrees F. Stick one clove into each apple and place apples into an ovenproof baking dish. Pour the sugar over them. Then add both kinds of sherry, and the cinnamon stick, and bake for about 20 minutes; remove from oven when apples are soft and begin to brown. Transfer the apples to a large saucepan and pour in the ale and add the orange rinds. Heat just until simmering begins, and serve in mugs or heatproof punch cups or heatproof glasses.
Sherry Cobbler
While wassail needs to be made in a large batch and served to large crowds, another popular drink that can be made one glass at a time is Sherry Cobbler. Although it sounds, to American ears, like something to eat--and it does contain real food, orange juice--it is nonetheless a Christmas drink.
To make Sherry Cobbler, also adapted from instructions in Favourite Christmas Recipes, for each drink you will need:
- 1 shot glass fresh orange juice
- 1 shot glass cream sherry
- 1 orange slice
- 1 Tablespoon ruby port
- 1 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar
Muddle the sugar in a double old-fashioned glass with some crushed ice. Add more ice to taste. Add the orange juice and sherry. Stir. Place the orange slice on top, with a drinking straw stuck through it, and pour the port over the orange slice.
This drink looks very festive, as the ruby port runs over the orange and down the inside of the glass.
Liquid Christmas Pudding
Steve Waller, one of the Charles Steevenson wine merchants, recommends a simple Australian product for all sorts of Christmastide uses. The staff at Charles Steevenson refers to the potion as "liquid Christmas pudding." That potion is Cambell's Rutherglen Muscat, described by its originator as "A luscious fortified wine in the style unique to the Rutherglen region." In addition, the "blend displays rich yet fresh raisin fruit flavour and a sweet mouthfilling finish."
Christmas Dinner Wine
Waller also revealed the secret treat he has planned for his own family's Christmas Dinner; a bottle of Don David Malbec. An Argentinian wine, it is described by its maker as "having violet notes, red berries and plum aromas. The taste is full of toasted and vanilla flavours with an aftertaste of ripe tannins."
A malbec, Waller noted, can be described, to those who haven't had one, as a claret with lots of heart. This particular malbec, he added, comes with a very big heart, just right for the hearty meals of Christmas Day.
Unless you live in the U.K., you won't be able to obtain these specific wines from Charles Steevenson Wines, Ltd. But you will find similar--or even the same--vintages at any wine merchant with a portfolio to equal Steevenson's--that is, about 1,000 choices. To enhance your fine dining on Christmas Day, you might make finding a similar merchant a number one holiday priority.
Sources:
Campbell's Wines, Murray Valley Highway, Rutherglen, Victoria 3685 Australia
Charles Steevenson Wines, Ltd., Wine merchants, Plymouth Road Industrial Estate, Tavistock, Devon, England
Don David wines
Favourite Christmas Recipes:Traditional Seasonal Fare.(Undated) Sevenoaks, England; J. Salmon Ltd.
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