the nut-brown beverage

'The Wassail Bowl was sometimes composed of ale instead of wine, with nutmeg, sugar, toast, ginger, and roasted crabs; in this way the nut-brown beverage is still prepared in some old families, and around the hearths of substantial farmers at Christmas.'

'Washington Irvingin a footnote to The Chrismas Dinner. From The Sketch Book, 1820.