Holiday Wassail - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 gal. apple cider or apple juice (16 c.)
1/2 c. sugar
10-inches stick cinnamon
3 oranges, sliced (optional)
1 c. lemon juice
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. whole cloves

Preparation

In a 6-quart Dutch oven, combine cider, lemon juice and sugar. Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar.
In a spice bag, place cinnamon and cloves in the center of a double-thick 6-inch square of 100% cotton cheesecloth.
Tie closed with a clean string.
Add spice bag and sliced oranges to the cider mixture.
Reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Remove spice bag and oranges and discard.
Serve cider in mugs.
Makes approximately 16 servings.