Christmas Wassail
You may be saying, what the heck is Christmas Wassail. Well you may remember a Christmas carol about “Here we go A Wassailing”? Wassail is a hot, mulled drink associated with the Yuletide holidays.
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It was traditionally Christmas Wassail was drunk from a ‘wassailing bowl’. Known as the earliest form of mead; which was roasted crab apples. Later, it evolved to become a mulled cider made with sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. It was traditionally served warm as seen below however more modern recipe have made as a cold cocktail.
The Legend: While the main purpose of wassailing is to awaken the apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit. The ceremonies of each wassail will vary from village to village, but they generally all have the same core elements. A folktale from the Somerset region that tells of the Apple Tree Man; the spirit of the oldest apple tree the orchard, where the fertility of that orchard is thought to reside. In the tale a man offers his last mug of mulled cider to the trees in his orchard and is rewarded by the Apple Tree Man who reveals to him the location of buried gold.
Modern Wassail recipes begin with a base of fruit juices, wine, or mulled ale, sometimes with brandy or bourbon added. Apples or oranges are often floated on top of the mix. Great bowls turned from wood, pottery or tin and often had many handles for shared drinking and highly decorated lids were used. Antique examples can still be found in traditional pubs. 
Our Favorite Musical Version- Here We Come A-Wassailing by Under The Streetlamp
THE GROCERY LIST:
- 4 cups fresh apple cider or tea (non alcoholic) or 1 bottle red wine
- 12 whole cloves
- 3 star anise
- 6 whole allspice
- 3 cinnamon sticks (Get extra to garnish)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 honey
- 1/4 cup of Top shelf Bourbon (Optional)
- cheesecloth & kitchen twine
- Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg and 1 cinnamon stick per drink
You will want to simmer the entire mixture on the stove top at low for at least 10-15 minutes prior to serving, or in a crock pot for 30 minutes to 1 hour just to get the spices integrated into the mixture. Remember the longer it steeps the better it is going to get. Unless you are using a packaged mix that would dissolve into your drink of choice, the it is just about heating up the beverage.
Another great tip is you can also purchase a bottled Winter Wassail mixer at Trader Joe’s and just add in your own oranges, and spices if you are running short on time for a holiday party. Then as cute little holiday favor idea I did was create some favors for a an open house for all the guest of Mulling Spices with the recipe card attached. I left them near the door in a cute little basket as a pick up party favor as guest were leaving.
Not only could you use these cute little spices as Mulling Spices for wine they are also great in apple cider, or even as room fragrance for your simmer pots. You can simply add these to a pot of boiling water and scent your entire home. (See more of my Simmer Pot recipes to scent your home link here)
They even smell great just in the these sweet little vintage style paper sacks and could easily be placed into a linen closet or small room as a scent sachet. You could also add these into a gift bag for a seasonal surprise that adds that holiday sensor smell as your recipient is opening the gift. Which is perfect for scarfs or knit gloves since they would pick up the smell. Add in a small hand lotion or maybe a bottle of wine and you got a great hostess gift too. Shop My Amazon Page for more ideas including the coveted annual White Elephant Gift List.
We hope you enjoyed this little fall recipe idea. If you do not feel like making your own we also found a great ready made version while traveling to the Biltmore this season. Which has all the spices included and ready for your wine or apple cider. I can say it is very good after sampling some on site and here is link were you can order it (Biltmore Wassail Mix), they also have a trio option with a Christmas Mixer & Pumpkin Spice.
They also have other really great party items in the Gourmet Food section as well. Don’t get me started on the teas, preserves and dip mixes, all of which they use in restaurants on property and all of them are delicious. We purchased several to take back home. You can see our full Biltmore Trip here with the our visit to the winery where we tried the Wassail and other fun Christmas details. You can also sign up for future recipe ideas and more seasonal inspirations, here at our Email updates at this link!
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I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. If you loved this post, check out some of our other great holiday cocktail Recipes:
Sounds nice, thanks for sharing lovely xx
Love learning about the background of the Wassail! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds yummy! Will out the recipe. Thanks for sharing
I have never heard of wassail but I want to try it . The name is weird but the recipe looks so good 🙂
I’ve had it before and it was delicious! I never knew what the ingredients were . Thank you for sharing!
It is nice to see you promoting our traditional holiday drink here the UK. We love your site.
This is a great explanation for the history of the drink and song. This looks like a perfect drink for the holidays.
I think I have to make this for the a little Christmas cheer and the history of the drink.
This article is a home run, pure and simple!
You have got the number one answer to all holiday fun right here! Thanks for the history and recipe I always wondered what wassailing was, now I know.
My husband and I got very happy when making this concoction for the holiday and so did our guests. It tasted great, was so warn and tasty! Thank you for the whole thing, we even learned a little something too!
This post really was informative as well as providing a holiday treat. I have wondered what wassailing was for years!
Your blog post is valueble for me, I found so many things think interest me, please keep blogging. Thanks!
I simply desired to send you a note of appreciation I have always wondered what Wassail was and I love that you covered the historical back ground along with providing a recipe too. This is a great wintertime drink for sipping by the fire. It has been really cold here in Michigan this year and the lake effect doe not help.
Okay I have always wondered what Wassail was and that song??? Too cool, and really good article, thanks!
I have always wondered what Wassail is, thanks for supplying those warm and friendly, trustworthy, edifying and fun tips on the topic.
I have to show some appreciation to this writer for educating us all on Wassail. This really is a great recipe and works for many winter occasions. It is like the Sangria of winter, with a Mead like quality. I just love it, thank you.
Thanks so much for giving everyone a great explantation for that song. I have alway heard and wondered what A Wassailing was??? The warm wine based drink looks very tasty and I can not wait to make it, I am thinking I will be wassailing for Valentine’s Day? I think it will be cold enough up here to do so this year.
I have to show some appreciation to you just for teaching me about Wassail. I must admit I have wondered what it was, and now I am obsessed with making it. The ingredients are all my favorite and I love a nice warm drink to sip by the fire on these cold nights. Thank you!
I must show some thanks to you, this is clearly a history lesson as well as a recipe. I am just like al the other and clearly had no idea what Wassail was, or how to make it, but I agree it sound great and could become a resurgence of an old fashion drink. Hey what’s old is new again.
I want to express some appreciation as I had no idea before reading your post what Wassail was, and now I have a very good comprehension of it. I think more blogs should be set up like this, and bit of learning with a recipe, or idea.
I must give this a try, I have never heard off Wassail before but it sound like mulled wine, yes? Which I do love.
Yes I too am one of the people asking what heck is wassail. Then I remember my mom used to make something like this, after reading the explanation. I think I am a fan of wassail, as it is pretty close to my vino.
Ummm this sounds delicious and like a fun game night drink. I have a ladies group that we play cards with, and this would be perfect, easy to keep warm and refresh.
I have wondered about this, I knew it was a drink but never took the time to look up what kind, I must say it looks delicious.
Thank you for every one of your efforts on this blog. My grandmother used to make this for the holidays, of course I was always too young to drink it. Now you have triggered that memory I must make it this winter. I think I have all the ingredients and its a snow day so I think it is the perfect warm me up drink today.
This is a interesting read and the history and tips indicates a great deal to me about your blog. Best wishes- I will add you to my rss feed.
Wow that is a lot of information, and I have to say I heard the song but always wondered about it. I have high hopes you realize what a powerful job you are always carrying out educating the mediocre ones through the use of a blog. Great post!
I never knew this. Great information and a nice recipe to try. Thank you once again for interests topics and fun things to read.
I’m just grateful for all your information. You have been providing great posts and teaching people via your site.
I always wondered about wassailing! I am happy to see all of them and now have seriously been loving these things. Appreciation for simply being indeed kind hearted and sharing such fine ideas.
How fun. I don’t think I ever tried this before so I am intrigued. I’d love to scent my home!
I don’t drink alcohol but I would love to try this with everything else! It sounds so delicious!
Love learning the history of holiday traditions, this looks great!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My blog is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would certainly benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Many thanks!
Excellent post. I check this blog continuously and I am always impressed! Very useful info specially the recipe section 🙂 I was looking for this particular information for a while now. Thank you and good luck.
I love a good traditional Wassail so glad I found your recipe, and how to make it, thank you!