CRANBERRY PINEAPPLE DRINK

This is a cinnamon spiced non-alcoholic Wassail. The name "wassail" comes from the Norse word "ves heill" and is exclaimed while toasting to good health. At one time, a piece of spiced toast was added to the punch from which the expression of "drinking a toast" arose. For a more complex citrus, less sweet flavor, look for varieties of cinnamon from Ceylon and Malubar which nurture the "true" cinnamon tree. Aromatic tender bark is peeled and curled into sticks which are dried in the sun. The second option is spicy-sweet cinnamon from the Cassia tree native to Southeast Asia and Northern Vietnam. Cassia contains cinnamic aldehyde and is the sweetest variety of cinnamon.

    1 (64-ounce) jar cranberry juice cocktail
    3 cups water or more to taste
    1 (12-ounce) frozen pineapple orange concentrate
    4 cinnamon sticks
    2 whole cloves
    Orange slices

1.  Measure the cranberry cocktail, water, concentrate, cinnamon
     sticks and cloves into a 6-quart crockery cooker, heat on low.

2.  Serve in tea cups with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.

     Hint: This is a fairly concentrated drink which may be
     diluted to taste with boiling water. Have a teapot of hot water
     handy, so your guests can dilute the drink to taste.

     Fills one 6-quart crockery cooker