Keeping with our Victorian theme, I decided on Wassail. This is a wonderful drink during the holidays, especially when the weather outside is "frightful"!

English Wassail

• 1 pint water
• 1 cup honey
• 4 cloves
• 3 sticks cinnamon
• 2 lemons thinly sliced
• 1 bottle medium dry red wine

Boil together water, honey, cloves and cinnamon for five minutes. Add two lemons thinly sliced and allow to stand for 7 or 8 minutes. Add a bottle of medium dry red wine and heat slowly until just below boiling point. Pour it into an insulated carafe or coffee urn to keep it warm. Serve immediately.

You can add nuts or coconut to the mixture if you like.