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Winter Wassail Punch is a great warm drink that is often served in fall or winter. “Wassail” is a reduction of the gaelic phrase’ Waes Hael’ which translates to “Good Health”. There are also many community wassail events especially in apple producing areas, but wassail is also appropriate at weddings and other events like fairs, carnivals and other such neighborhood celebrations. Wassailing is associated with the harvest and warding away evil spirits or overcoming the forces of nature that could threaten a good crop. Wassailing celebrations pre-date Christmas celebrations. The community events are family friendly usually naming a “wassailing queen” with lots of good food and drink and often times have a medieval theme. There have been many songs dedicated to wassail. The lyrics to the songs are typically of good cheer, wishing blessings to the household. There are some links below to community wassailing celebrations.
Now that you have learned a bit about the history of Wassail, most people just know it for it’s delicious holiday drink. I have two versions of these holiday recipes, alcoholic and non alcoholic. Both are delicious and can be great for the whole family.
This mocktail recipe is the healthier, non-alcoholic version and should be served in a punch bowl. It can be put together in minutes makes eighteen,
one half cup servings.
2 quarts apple cider
1 quart orange juice
1-6 oz. can frozen unsweetened apple juice concentrate
3 cinnamon sticks, broken
8 whole cloves
Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered for two hours. Strain and serve hot. Each serving has approximately 100 calories per serving.
Here is a more traditional cocktail recipe for Wassail:
12 eggs
4 bottles Sherry or Madeira
2 pounds sugar or brown sugar for a richer flavor
1 teaspoon powdered nutmeg
2 teaspoons ginger
6 whole cloves
1 /2 teaspoon mace
6 whole allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix the dry ingredients in a half pint of water. Add the wine and let the mixture simmer over very slow fire. Beat the egg yolks and whites separately and add these to the hot brew. Before serving, add several sliced baked apples and lace the mixture well with brandy. Makes 25 to 30 cups.
Wassail is my most favorite holiday cocktail! I love curling up on a cold December night next to the fire with Christmas cookies and a warm glass of Wassail.
