Red-Wine Wassail

Ingredients

• 3 cups apple juice
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup slivered almond
• 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. 1

   In a large saucepan or kettle, combine the apple juice, sugar, almonds and raisins; slowly stir in the red wine.

2. 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. 3

   Heat slowly over low heat; don't let it boil.

4. 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. 5

   Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and place the apples in it; bake, covered, at 350F for 45 minutes.

6. 6

   Bake the apples about an hour or so before you want to serve the wassail.

7. 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!