Have you ever heard the song "Here we go a wassailing"? Wassail is a warm, festive & delicious Christmas drink. Take a look at this Christmas Wassail Recipe. For many this hot mulled cider recipe is a tradition.
I have been making this wassail recipe since I was a teenager when I came across the recipe in a small paper cookbook with sketches for pictures called (I think) The Gooseberry Patch.
Table of Contents
What is Wassail?
Historically, wassail was made by heating ale or wine with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and often adding sugar or honey to sweeten the mixture.
Wait there is a Wassail song, right??
Called "Here We Come A Wassaling" or "Here We Come A Caroling" or simply The Wassail Song, its a traditional English Christmas carol that dates back to the 1800s. The song is typically sung during the Christmas season as people sing carols, spreading good tidings and joy, from house to house.
The origin of the Wassail drink
- Wassail is a traditional English beverage that is enjoyed during the Christmas season. The origins of wassail can be traced back to ancient Anglo-Saxon times when it was a pagan ritual used to celebrate the winter solstice.
- The word "wassail" comes from the Old English phrase "waes hael," which means "be well."
- Back in the Middle Ages, the drink wassail became associated with Christmas and was often consumed during the custom of wassailing. Groups of people would go from house to house singing carols and offering the beverage to their neighbors.
- The drink was typically made from spiced ale or wine, and sometimes included apples or other fruits.
Wassail is still enjoyed during the Christmas season in many parts of the world, particularly in England and the United States.
The smell and the taste of this Christmas Wassail Recipe will always bring both me and my family right back to Christmas! The food, the music and the meaning of Christmas make it my favorite time of year!
I don't include alcohol when I make it as a holiday drink. However you totally can. Everyone, young and old enjoy this festive hot Christmas drink. Just the smell is amazing as you raise a cup to drink!
Why make the Christmas drink?
- While this heats on the stove or crockpot simmering, it makes your home smell delicious and festive.
- It warms you to your toes.
- It is easily transported.
- Everyone loves the taste the special warm holiday drink, from ages 2 to 102!
- Play the Wassail song as you serve it, and sing along! So fun!
- It's so easy to make put the kids in charge and it can be their special contribution to Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day!
Ingredients
- apple cider
- orange juice
- pineapple juice
- lemon juice
- sugar
- mulling spices (or see full recipe notes below to make your own)
Variations
- Add in brandy or cognac to your taste to make it boozy.
- Heat stovetop or use a crockpot.
Tips
- If making ahead of time, once the wassail is made and cooled, pour it back into the cider container (and or OJ container) and store that way. Transport it that way if needed and then then reheat it in a pot or crockpot wherever you end up.
- After making, remove the spices and place in just a little liquid in a jar, add back in as you heat it up. I would add the orange and lemon slices fresh at that point.
- Garnish pot or drinks with a cinnamon stick, cloves, a whole orange studded with cloves, orange and/or lemon slices, allspice berries or a star anise.
Storage
Once cooled, store your wassail in a container in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. This reheats well in a mug in the microwave, in a pot on the stove or in a crockpot.
Popular Christmas Recipes to try
- Nantucket Pie - It's gorgeous and festive. Easy to make and always wows the room! A perfect use for fresh cranberries!
- Cranberry Soda Bread - Very popular on my TikTok and one of my favorite recipes! (Pictured below)
- Christmas Sangria - Delicious!
- Cranberry Moscow Mules - A festive holiday season cocktail!
- Cranberry Goat Cheese Log - So pretty and easy!
This recipe was originally posted December 8, 2009! One of the first recipes I posted on Souffle Bombay. So funny that I decided to update it EXACTLY 13 years later!! Enjoy!! XO Colleen
Wassail Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- 6 oz can of pineapple juice
- 2 TBS lemon juice
- 3 TBS sugar
- ¼ cup mulling spices
Instructions
- Combine everything in a large pot; bring to a boil stirring often. (If you have a metal spice ball, use it, if not just throw it all in then pour through a strainer prior to serving or storing).
- Turn off the stove and let it sit for 30 minutes before reheating to serve.
- Serve it very warm almost like tea or coffee. You can make it ahead, refrigerate it and reheat as necessary. Wassail keeps well for 4 days. If you want to make it alcoholic add in some Brandy or Cognac to your taste.
- Accent pot or glasses/cups with an orange or lemon slice, a cinnamon stick, a star anise, allspice berries and or cloves.
Pam says
I love your selections of Christmas music and share a few of them. You must be an 80's girl like me. Don't you miss the music? The movies?
Add me to the list of never hearing of Wassail. It sounds yummy though so I may give it a try.
I made your pork chops tonight. I was viewing your site earlier and saw the recipe you shared for them and they looked great. I had a pack of chops in the fridge I was going to use with my stand-by "Smothered Pork Chops", but when I relaized I had all the ingredients for your recipe I gave it a whirl. They were a hit. Thanks so much!
Pam aka Bored Cook
Conor @ HoldtheBeef says
Wassail sounds great. Sometimes I wish we celebrated Christmas in winter so we could enjoy things like mulled wine, but it's pretty great to head down the beach for a swim and a BBQ over the Christmas break 🙂
Love the glass rims! I wouldn't have been able to contain my excitement if I got a drink like that when I was a kid!
MP says
What a fun post!
I received my Kitchen Aid chopper and am in chopped heaven! (Ooo, that doesn't sound nearly as happy as it truly is, does it?)
the Provident Woman says
Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Is my all time favorite Christmas song. Good taste in Christmas songs you've got there.
Connie says
Hi! I came here by way of your Tasty Kitchen friend request!
A couple years ago I made a list of my favorite Christmas songs...hoping that some techno genius could make me a CD. (Hasn't happened yet).
Anyways, here are the ones I can remember since I don't know where my list is at the moment!
1. Barry Manilow - River
2. Josh Grobin- Believe (love this boy!)
3. Rent- Seasons of Love (this one makes me cry!)
4. Augie Rios- Donde Esta Santa Claus
5. Mindi Abair- I Can't Wait For Christmas (google this one & check it out!)
6. James Taylor- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
7. Alan Jackson- Let it Be Christmas (and I'm not really a Country Western fan!)
Lisa says
This is so festive and great for a holiday party! I am going to add some brandy to mine the next time I make it.
Colleen says
All of my nieces and nephews look forward to this Christmas Even, and now the older ones are making their own. Love!!
shelby says
Tried this for Thanksgiving and it was a big hit. Will be making it for Christmas eve too and will add some brandy to it. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Colleen says
Love that! Cheers!!
Kristin says
I was always curious about what a wassail was! Now I don't have to wonder anymore, lol! This is so delicious and comforting. I made it for game night over Thanksgiving weekend and everyone loved it! Definitely making this again. Thanks for the great recipe!