By Heather Brush, filling in for Lindsey.

In honor of the Winter Solstice, mix a batch of Wassail and drink a toast to time. Today, the days start getting longer again. Wassail has an old history. In days gone by, Romans, Greeks and pagans of Northern Europe celebrated this day in recognition of the returning sun and hopes for another growing season. (Many people still celebrate this holiday today.) During the Middle Ages, ale, made specially for the holiday season, was brewed by European monks, Englishmen and Scandinavian brewers.

The English toast at the time was an Anglo-Saxon term, “waes haeil,” meaning “be whole” or “be in good health”. Roving bands of wassailers strolled village streets spreading good cheer, caroling and carrying their festooned wassail bowl. Upon arriving at each door, they offered their drink to the residents or asked their neighbors fill their bowls. Many would visit the homes of lords, singing in exchange for food and drink. Wassail was a popular combination of apples, wine, ale, sugar and spices.

Here’s a more fruity recipe:

2 quarts sweet apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 large can pineapple juice
1 whole cinnamon stick
12 whole cloves
Honey to taste

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients into a large pot on the stove and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
2. Do not let mixture come to a boil.
3. These ingredients may also be combined in a slow-cooker and heated on high until mixture is hot, but not boiling. Reduce setting to low.
From: http://beverage-recipes.suite101.com/article.cfm/best_holiday_wassail_bowl

And here is a more traditional recipe:
2 pints and 1/4 cup brown ale 
3-4 cinnamon sticks
4 cloves
Zest from 1/2 lemon
4 apples
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup port
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground all spice
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large sauce pan, pour in 2 pints of ale. Add the cinnamon sticks, lemon zest and cloves and bring to a simmer over low heat.
Take an apple, and score it with a knife around the circumference of the apple. Place in a baking dish. Repeat this step for all of the apples. Cover with one cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of ale, and all of the port. Cover baking dish and place in oven, cooking for 30 minutes.
While apples are baking, place remaining sugar and spices into the sauce pan, ensuring it’s well mixed.
When apples are done baking, place entire contents of baking dish into sauce pan. Allow to cook over a low heat for another 30-40 minutes.
Serve hot, one-two ladles into your favorite mug.
From: http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/index.php?title=wassail

For more on Wassail: http://www.suite101.com/reference/wassail

In case you want to sing the song while mixing up a batch, or after you’ve shared a glass or two, here are the lyrics:

The Wassail Song 
 
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand’ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

We are not daily beggers
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors’ children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Good master and good mistress,
As you sit beside the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year

We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a cheese,
And of your Christmas loaf.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.