{"id":131954,"date":"2025-10-20T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abeautifulmess.com\/?p=131954"},"modified":"2025-10-20T08:15:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T13:15:08","slug":"wassail-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abeautifulmess.com\/wassail-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Wassail Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wassail is a traditional drink that is warm and comforting in the fall and holiday season. It’s sweet and spicy notes of apple and fresh oranges mixed with spices like clove and cinnamon will warm you from the inside out and you can make yours alcoholic or kid-friendly as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This hot wassail recipe is the perfect drink to serve at holiday parties or to pour into mugs before you go caroling, tree lighting, or any outdoor holiday activity. It’s easy to make and you can make larger batches of it to serve a crowd. Check out our video below to see how easy it is to make!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related:<\/strong> Gl\u00fchwein (German Mulled Wine)<\/a>, Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas<\/a>, Hot Buttered Rum<\/a>, Nutella Hot Chocolate<\/a>, Coquito<\/a>, How to Make Mulled Wine<\/a>, Classic Hot Toddy<\/a>,<\/a> Apple Cinnamon Hot Toddy,<\/a> Cranberry Spiced Hot Toddy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand’ring
So fair to be seen.”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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What is Wassail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wassail is a more complex and layered version of apple cider as it adds in other citrus and spice notes and is often paired with a shot of alcohol as well. Traditional wassail was hot mulled cider made with spices, hard liquor, apples, and brandy. It is slow simmered on the stove to release the flavors and is served hot to warm you from the inside out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s the history of Wassail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The word “wassail” comes from the old Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael,” which means “good health.” This spiced warm cider was usually spiked with dark rum or sherry and had fruits like baked apples and oranges studded with cloves floating in the cider. Tempered eggs were added to the mixture and small piece of toast was laid on top, which is still where we get the tradition to raise our glasses to “toast” each other or the occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tradition of making Wassail goes all the way back to the English middle ages to help ensure a good apple harvest on Twelfth Night (January 17). Villagers would bring wassail to drink as they encircled the biggest apple tree and sing in the orchards to ward off evil spirits that could impair the harvest. As Christianity began to spread across the region, the drink was moved to the Christmas holiday where it has stayed ever since and became associated with Christmas carolers drinking it as they went from door to door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What’s the best alcohol to use for Wassail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it’s up to your personal taste which alcohol you want to add, the most popular choices are brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why you’ll love Wassail:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nostalgic: <\/strong>Drinking this classic drink connects you to how people have celebrated the holiday for centuries so you can participate in the storied ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aroma:<\/strong> No Christmas candle can compare to a fresh batch of Wassail being heated on your stove\u2014it smells amazing!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowd-pleaser:<\/strong> Since you can serve this with or without alcohol, you don’t need to make separate party drinks for different ages … just add in a shot for those who want it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ingredients for Wassail:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple cider:<\/strong> This drink has mostly apple cider for its base, so if you are an apple cider fan then chances are you will love this drink too! Some wassail recipes have you add whole apples or apple slices to the pot as it simmers, so feel free to add those as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oranges and orange juice:<\/strong> The juice adds some sweet citrus notes to the wassail and the halves and slices of whole oranges bring out the oils in the zesty peel and give you something to stick your whole cloves into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemon juice:<\/strong> A small amount of lemon juices adds a tart note and gives it a bit of a zing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spices:<\/strong> Whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise make this drink taste and smell amazing, and the addition of ground nutmeg and ginger add another deeper level of flavor. Feel free to leave out out if you’re missing one or do a ground option if you don’t have a whole spice available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sugar:<\/strong> While you can use regular sugar, brown sugar adds a bit of a caramel sweetness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard alcohol (optional):<\/strong> For your adult guests, you can choose to a shot of brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon to your Wassail to help it warm you from the inside out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>

Should I use apple cider or apple juice for Wassail?<\/h3><\/summary>

While you can use either for Wassail, apple juice may be a better choice for those who like their Wassail on the “plainer” side as it doesn’t have added spices like cider usually does. You can also check the spices already added to your cider and tone down adding more of that particular spice if you don’t want your blend to become too spice heavy.<\/p> <\/details> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to make Wassail:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to Make Wassail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Add Ingredients:<\/strong> Combine all your ingredients (except alcohol if using) in a large pot and bring to a gentle boil. You can either stick your whole cloves into your orange halves or just let them float in the pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simmer on Low:<\/strong> Bring your wassail down to a low simmer and let it gently cook for 30-45 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serve: <\/strong>Strain any floating spices and fruit out of your drink and pour into heatproof cups (you can pour it through a fine mesh strainer). Add a shot of alcohol to spike the drink if desired!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>

Can I store leftover Wassail?<\/h3><\/summary>

Yes, you can store leftover wassail in an airtight container in the fridge and just warm it up again to drinking temperature the next day.<\/p> <\/details> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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TIP: You can also put all your whole spices into a little sack made from cheesecloth and tie it with bakers twine so you can pull them all out together once you’re ready to serve.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Tips for making Wassail:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n