Solstice Wassail

Photo: flickr user thedabble

Ingredients

2 cups pints plus ¼ brown ale or winter ale

4 cinnamon sticks

4 cloves

zest of half a 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

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large sauce pan, pour in the two 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 around its circumference. Place in a baking dish and repeat with other apples. Cover with one cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup ale and all of the port. Cover baking dish and place in oven for 30 minutes.

While apples bake, place remaining sugar and spices in the saucepan, mixing well. When apples are done baking, place entire contents of baking dish into saucepan. Cook for another 30-40 minutes over low heat. Serve in Mugs.