3 Holiday Punches From 1964

Whenever we find an old cookbook, we instantly flip to the beverages section, hoping to find delicious drinks from the past. Recently, the out-of-print McCormick Spices Of The World Cookbook (1964) came into our possession. Enjoy a blast from the holiday past with these three recipes below!

Autumn Spiced Cider

Described as “A marvelous drink for teen-age parties.” A tip from The Cocktail Camp: feel free to add some rum or brandy to apply to marvelous adult parties.

Combine the following ingredients in a large saucepan:

4 quarts apple cider

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of orange peel

1 teaspoon of allpsice

1/2 teaspoon mace (this is another term for nutmeg)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon coriander seed

2 teaspoons whole cloves

2 tablespoons cinnaman decors (if you know what a cinnamon decor is, please share. We used two cinnamon sticks)

Cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Strain. Serve hot or let cool and serve chilled.

Traditional Wassail Bowl

Described as “Merrie Olde England’s Christmas cup of cheer.”

Wash 3 apples and place in a baking dish. Roast in oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

In a large pot, combine:

1 cup of water

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg*

1 piece whole ginger, broken

1x 3-in piece Cinnamon (we used 2x cinnamon sticks)

3 whole cloves

3 whole allspice

4 coriander seeds

2 whole cardamom pods

1/2 teaspoon mace*

*we used 1 tsp of nutmeg

Holiday Cranberry Punch

Another great mock-tail option (or add booze if you choose) from this recipe book.

Combine all ingredients in large pot:

1/4 tesspoon ground cinnamon

14 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 tespoon allspice

4 pints cranberry juice cocktail

1x 6-oz can frozen orange juice

Mix well and bring to a boil. Strain through cheesecloth. Chill. Add 6x 12 oz bottles of chilled ginger ale just before serving.