Ale Slipper

The ale slipper, also known as an ale boot or, less commonly, an ale shoe, is a boot-shaped vessel with a pouring spout, a handle, and sometimes a hinged cover that is used to heat beverages in hot coals. Ale slippers are made of tin-lined copper, tin, or cast iron and were in use in the British Isles by the sixteenth century. They came to the New World with early colonists and were used to heat mulled wine, ale, and cider, as well as caudles, possets, and gruels. Ingredients were combined in the ale slipper and then the toe was pushed into glowing embers. The heated drink was poured into a mug or cup before being consumed.