The Best Wassail Recipe: So Easy - Feeding Your Fam (2024)

Home » Appetizers » Wassail Recipe

ByFeeding Your Fam

5 Comments

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This Wassail Recipe is a delicious warm drink made up of apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Perfectly seasoned to warm you to the core. Wassail is perfect for cold winter days, Holiday parties and Christmas celebrations.

This easy wassail recipe has been in our family for countless years, it a holiday tradition!! This is one thing my kids and myself look forward to every Christmas Eve. My mom serves this warm Christmas drink every year at our family Christmas party and it wouldn’t be the same without it!

This hot wassail recipe is so easy to throw together and will absolutely be enjoyed by all.

ON THIS RECIPE PAGE:

How to make Wassail

This easy wassail recipe can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

First to make this wassail recipe you will start by combining the water and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Next, add in the cinnamon, allspice berries, ginger and whole cloves. Turn off the heat and let the spices develop in the hot water for at least 30 minutes.

At this point, after the spices have infused the water, you can strain them from the liquid, or leave them in if you like. I prefer to leave them in to continue to add flavor to the wassail.

Pour in the apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Bring just to a boil and turn down the heat to low, this will keep the wassail warm.

If you prefer to make this for the slow cooker. Dissolve the sugar in the water in the slow cooker. Add the other ingredients and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 8. Keep on low to serve.

Wassail Ingredients

To make this easy, soul warming Christmas drink, you will need just a few ingredients.

  • apple cider
  • orange juice
  • lemon juice
  • water
  • cinnamon sticks
  • whole cloves
  • allspice berries
  • ground ginger
  • sugar

Can I make Wassail ahead?

You can make this wassail recipe before you need it. Simply follow the recipe instructions to make the wassail. Once it is complete, strain the spices and store in the refrigerator. You can make this at least 5 days in advance of when you need it.

Simply warm up when ready to serve.

How to store this wassail drink

If you have any wassail left over after serving, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just heat up what you are going to drink in the microwave and take a trip back to Christmas.

Homemade Wassail Recipe

If you are looking for other Family Friendly meals or desserts follow along with me onYouTubeorFacebookwhere I share simple recipes to help you with Feeding Your Fam! Make sure to subscribe so you will be notified when a new recipe is shared.

The Best Wassail Recipe: So Easy - Feeding Your Fam (6)

Print Recipe Save Recipe

4.43 from 19 votes

Wassail Recipe

Wassail is a delicious warm drink made up of apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Perfectly seasoned to warm you to the core. Wassail is perfect for cold winter days, Holiday parties and Christmas celebrations.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Drinks

Cuisine: Comfort Food, Holidays

Keyword: Wassail Recipe

Servings: 12

Calories: 127kcal

Author: Sarah Alvord, Feeding Your Fam

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 4 whole allspice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 quart apple cider
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 cup lemon juice

Instructions

  • In a large pot (at least 4 quarts) stir together the water and sugar and bring to a boil.

  • Boil, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add in the cloves, allspice, cinnamon and ginger. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.

  • At this point you can strain and remove the spices or leave them in. (I like to leave them in)

  • Add in the apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Bring just to a boil and then turn down to low to keep warm while serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @feedingyourfam or tag #feedingyourfam!

Other easy winter treats:

  • Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
  • English Toffee
  • Pecan Pie Bars

This Wassail Recipe is a delicious warm drink made up of apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Perfectly seasoned to warm you to the core.

The Best Wassail Recipe: So Easy - Feeding Your Fam (2024)

FAQs

Is wassail good for you? ›

Not only is this a warming, festive drink, but the medicinal herbs provide multiple health benefits. During the mulling process, the cinnamon, ginger, and clove impart a spicy aroma as well as anti-inflammatory, immune supporting properties to the wassail.

What is wassail drink made of? ›

What is Wassail? Wassail is like the tastier sister to Apple Cider. Traditional wassail was made with hard liquor, apples, brandy, and other spices. This recipe is made with cloves, apples, cinnamon, lemon, orange, ginger, and nutmeg and is a nonalcoholic wassail recipe.

What is a wassail party? ›

Wassailing is an English tradition which comes from the UK's cider making regions like the South West. It involves 'waking the trees' by banging pots and pans, singing,, dancing, and making lots of noise to ward off bad spirits and encourage a good harvest in the year to come.

Where does wassail come from? ›

The text of the carol employs noun and verb forms of “wassail,” a word derived from the Old Norse ves heil and the Old English was hál and meaning “be in good health” or “be fortunate.” The phrase found first use as a simple greeting, but the Danish-speaking inhabitants of England seem to have turned was hail, and the ...

What's the healthiest drink on the market? ›

Water is the best choice for quenching your thirst. Coffee and tea, without added sweeteners, are healthy choices, too.

What is in Trader Joe's wassail? ›

A sweetened blend of black currant, apple, and lemon juices, with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and orange peel, Trader Joe's Winter Wassail is a fruit punch whose flavors and aromas evoke the holidays. You can serve it chilled, over ice with bourbon; or warmed, in a big mug, with a cinnamon stick garnish.

What is traditionally drunk during the tradition of wassailing? ›

Wassail (/ˈwɒsəl/, /-eɪl/ WOSS-əl, -⁠ayl, most likely from Old Norse "ves heill") is a beverage made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine and spices, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient English Yuletide drinking ritual and salutation either involved in door-to-door charity-giving or used to ...

What are the two types of wassailing? ›

The tradition of wassailing (also spelled wasselling) falls into two distinct categories: the house-visiting wassail and the orchard-visiting wassail.

What is a fun fact about wassail? ›

“Wassail” is the modern spelling of the old English phrase “waes hael” meaning “good health!” Shared as a salutation or toast, the proper response was “drink health!” and indeed, wassail is a drink, as well.

What is the pagan tradition of wassailing? ›

Why wassail? The intention was to ward off bad spirits from the orchards whilst also pleasing the spirits of the fruit trees, to ensure a bountiful crop of fruit in the year ahead.

How to organize a wassail? ›

And this is what you do
  1. Put on some music to create some Old Twelvey Night atmosphere.
  2. Soak a slice of toast in cider and hang it in the branches of your Wassail tree.
  3. Pour some cider around the roots of the tree.
  4. Chant the Wassail song.
  5. Make some loud noise with your pots and pans to scare away those evil spirits.
Jan 11, 2021

What do you do when you go wassailing? ›

The wassailers then move on to the next orchard; singing, shouting, banging pots and pans, and even firing shotguns, generally making as much noise as possible in order to both waken the sleeping tree spirits, and also to frighten off any evil demons that may be lurking in the branches.

What do you wear to a wassail? ›

The entire event is outdoors. You should wear footwear suitable for muddy and uneven ground. Wear warm / waterproof clothing appropriate for the conditions. This is a fun evening so you may wish to dress up a little with fancy Wassail hats and coats.

Why do they toast at wassail? ›

The word 'Wassail' comes from the Anglo Saxon toast 'waes hael' – meaning 'be well' or 'be in good health'. This ceremony promotes the health of the trees and encourages a bountiful harvest, traditionally taking place around the old Twelfth Night (January 17).

How many calories are in wassail? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories60
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
38 more rows

What is the most unhealthy drinks? ›

The 10 Unhealthiest Drinks
  • Naked Mighty Mango Juice, 57 grams of sugar. ...
  • Naked Blue Machine Juice, 55 grams. ...
  • Monster Emergy Drink, 54 grams.
  • AriZona Sweet Tea, 53 grams.
  • Naked Green Machine, 53 grams.
  • Starbucks Frappucino, 47 grams. ...
  • Mountain Dew, 46 grams.
  • Welch's Grape Juice, 44 grams.
Mar 18, 2024

What are the health benefits of mulled cider? ›

Health Benefits of Mulled Cider

Boosts Immunity: The apple juice in our mulled cider is chock-full of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. Regular consumption of vitamin C can help to strengthen your immune system, making it more resilient against illnesses and infections.

Is wassail good for a sore throat? ›

It is one of the most soothing drinks for a sore throat and always sounded good when we were under the weather. Now, our wassail recipe doesn't include apples or liquor.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 6246

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.