Server Asa Gouin, left, and Dan Diviney, center, join the rest of the patrons and staff at the Fairfield Inn for the wassail toast before the 2010 Feast of Christmas. (SMART -- KATE PENN)
When I hear the word wassail, I think of a meerkat. I don’t know why — the connections my brain makes never seem to actually make sense — but I think of Timone, from The Lion King.
Suffice to say, wassail punch has nothing to do with The Lion King. Or meerkats. Really, wassail is a hot, mulled cider punch. Smart blogger Andrea Albert-Merovich wrote about her aunt’s homemade recipe a few weeks ago, and it sounds absolutely delicious — a mix of mulling spices and cider and cranberry juice that are sure to make your home smell fabulous.
“Wassail” can also be used as a toast to someone’s health during the holidays. In the November/December issue of Smart magazine, we focused on the Civil War Caroling Feasts of Christmas at Fairfield Inn, which feature a wassail bowl of soldier’s punch. You can snag tickets today for the Friday or Saturday night dinners this week or plan ahead for Dec. 16 or 17 — all four nights offer live entertainment and a meal featuring Civil War-era music and foods.
Tickets are $39.95 per person and are by reservation only. Find the details and a full menu at www.thefairfieldinn.com.
Smart is showcasing something different each day of the holiday season. Some days it will be an event, such as a play or craft bazaar. Other days it will be a recipe you can serve during Christmas dinner or a suggestion for entertaining the kids. We’ll give tips to survive the holidays — all 61 days of them. View past posts by clicking on “Holiday countdown” under “Things to do” at the top of the homepage.
