Mix all the above on a block of ice in a punch bowl or on rock ice in a highball then garnish with fresh apple chunks, mint sprigs and wheels of lemon.
These quantities serve 2 but can be easily increased for larger groups.
Spiced syrup: Boil 1.5 litres of water then add: 3 cinnamon sticks, 15 cloves, 8 stars anise, 5 cardamon pods, 15 coffee beans, ¼ nutmeg, grated and 1 vanilla pod. Then muddle and boil for ½ hour. Finally add 1kg castor sugar, mix, cool, then strain.
Wassailing is a very old English custom with its roots in paganism. The idea is to protect the cider apple trees from evil spirits to ensure a plentiful crop. The tradition is still upheld throughout the country, but particularly in Somerset. The best or oldest tree in the orchard is chosen as a guardian to represent them all. Pieces of toast soaked in cider are placed in the tree and cider is poured around the base of it. Shotguns are fired into the topmost branches and buckets are beaten, the aim being to scare away evil spirits and wake the sleeping trees. Some believe that if the trees aren't wassailed there will be no harvest.
