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This homemade wassail is a traditional English drink. The citrus and spices combine to make something warm and festive. Wassail comes together quickly and easily and makes your house smell amazing!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tradition: Wassail is an old English word from ‘waes-hael,’ which translates to “to your health.” Historically, people would make a variety of spiced ciders to share and enjoy with friends to celebrate the harvest.
- Aroma: Wassail starts with an apple cider base, then I add orange and pineapple juice for that perfect fruity zest! Pair these with nutmeg, anise, and cinnamon, and your house will smell like Christmas.
- Holiday Drink: Food is always the highlight of the holidays, but what about the drinks? Christmas punch, pomegranate lemonade, and cranberry apple crush are the best recipes to have with your holiday dinner.
What Do I Need to Make Wassail?
No fancy ingredients are needed here; instead, let your spice rack do the heavy lifting! After all, who knew that just a few spices and a blend of fruit juices could create such a hearty, flavorful drink? Plus, you’ll love having it to sip on a cold day. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Apple Cider: Apple juice can also be used, but I prefer using cider for a more complex flavor. Not to mention, its smooth, thick consistency tastes great as a warm drink!
- Orange Juice: Citrus helps to balance out the flavors in the drink.
- Pineapple Juice: I like adding pineapple juice for extra fruity flavor!
- Whole Cloves: Add a warm, sweet spice to your wassail.
- Cinnamon Sticks: No holiday recipe is complete without a little cinnamon!
- Star Anise: Anise has a sweet, licorice flavor that tastes amazing combined with the other flavors in this drink.
- Nutmeg: For tasty, nutty warmth!
- Cranberries: Not only are they beautiful and festive, but cranberries also help infuse tart flavor into your wassail.
- Sliced Oranges and Apples: Adding some sliced orange and apple pieces is the cherry on top! It adds to the presentation and gives your drink more flavor.
Homemade Hot Wassail Recipe
This traditional wassail recipe is the easiest thing to throw together! You can impress your guests with minimal effort. Just make sure you have plenty of time to simmer so the flavors can infuse!
- Mix Juice: In a large pot over medium-low heat, then add the apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
- Add in Spices and Garnish: Next, add in the cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg, cranberries, orange and apple slices.
- Simmer and Serve: Let simmer for an hour or all day. Serve hot.
Tips and Tricks for Making Christmas Wassail
You’re going to love this traditional holiday drink! Here are a few of my favorite tips on making it even better. It’s so good you may even want it year-round!
- Using High-Quality Juices: For best results, use apple cider, orange, and pineapple juice that is not from concentrate! The fresher these juices are, the better your wassail will be!
- Adding Froth: One way to increase the coziness of this drink is by adding a sweet egg froth! I know it may sound weird, but imagine eggnog-level creaminess. To do this, separate egg whites and yolks. Beat your egg whites until you reach stiff peaks. In another bowl, beat your egg yolks until frothy and bubbly, then blend together with the egg white mixture. Add very slowly to your wassail, mixing constantly to keep the eggs from scrambling. If done properly, you’ll be left with a creamy, tempered foam on the top of your drink that tastes AMAZING!
- Make it Boozy: Looking to add a little more cheer? You can make a boozy version of this drink by adding brandy, whiskey, rum, bourbon or hard cider to your wassail. Just make sure you’re not cooking it on too high of heat to keep the alcohol from burning off.
Storing Leftover Cider
Since the longer wassail infuses, the better it tastes, it’s perfect for leftovers! It will become more flavorful as it rests in your fridge!
- In the Refrigerator: Store leftover wassail in a pitcher for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: When ready to serve, reheat the wassail over the stove on medium heat until it is simmering.
More Tasty Homemade Drinks
Making drinks at home is both fun and delicious! Here are a few of my favorite drink recipes to get you through the holidays and beyond! Refreshing and flavorful, they’re sure to become regulars in your drink rotation. Whether you want something fruity or creamy, I’ve got you covered!
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Wassail
Ingredients
- 2 quarts apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 10 whole cloves
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 5 star anise
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 apple sliced
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-low heat add the apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
- Add in the cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg, cranberries, orange, and apple slices.
- Let simmer for an hour or all day. Serve hot.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I would consider this Mulled Cider… not traditional Wassail. It is a festive drink and certainly would make the house smell wonderful and welcoming for the holiday, but I grew up with wassail and this is not that.
I’m pretty confident this would last longer than 5 days in the fridge lol
thank you for sharing
Made this for my work party. Followed the recipe exactly and simmered in the crockpot. The whole office demanded a copy of the recipe!!! It’s absolutely perfect!!
This was one of my FAVORITE Family Christmas Transitions when I was growing up! Sadley my Nanna’s ‘Secret’ recipe has been lost. She used other interesting ingredients like Crabapples, Pomegranates, Brown Sugar, Ginger Root, Allspice… not to mention generous amounts of ‘Hooch’! Brandy, Sherry, even Drambuie! Can you suggest amounts of these other ingredients?