Herbal Wassail Recipe (2024)

Ever since the first Christmas I can remember, I woke up to the warm smell of cinnamon, apple, cranberry, and orange simmering in the crock pot. It was a tradition that came from my grandparents (and perhaps their parents) of making the holiday drink called wassail.

What is Wassail?

The traditional wassail recipe is an ancient Anglo-Saxon drink made with apple cider, citrus of some form, and winter herbs. Historically it also contained hard alcohol. It’s delicious, and will warm you up on a cold winter day! Several years ago I found a way to incorporate herbs into the recipe for some added health benefits.

Some recipes call for brown sugar, but I find that the natural fruit is sweet enough on its own. There are several different versions with ingredients like orange juice, lemon juice, or apple juice. This blend opts for a blend of pineapple, cranberry, and apple cider instead.

You could add in some apple slices, allspice, or star anise if desired. Personally, I love this warm drink recipe just how it is!

The History of Wassail

The word wassail wasn’t known as just a delicious beverage though. It was used as a tiding or toast to good health. Its first known use as a salute in literature is in the 8th-century poem Beowulf. The old-time tradition of “wassailing” also evolved and was a gathering of friends. Over time wassailing came to involve caroling and Christmas parties too.

What is the Difference Between Mulled Wine and Wassail?

The recipes are fairly similar, but my wassail recipe doesn’t have wine in it. Some people will add brandy or hard cider to their wassail after it’s done simmering. Mulled wine has a lot of the same spices, but it doesn’t usually have the added juice that you’ll find in Wassail.

Making wassail has now become a family tradition with my own family (as well as making glühwein, a spiced wine punch). They say smell is closely tied to memory and the scent of this homemade wassail definitely brings back good memories for me, just as I hope it will for my children.

Herbal Wassail

My recipe is a little different than some of the more traditional ones because it has a hearty dose of herbal tea. I use a blend of nutritive herbs, including raspberry leaf, dandelion, alfalfa, and nettle. These herbs are high in minerals and nutrients that are widely considered safe for both children and adults. Even during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I generally avoid all herbs in medicinal amounts during the first trimester of pregnancy though.

Herbal wassail is a delicious warming drink and it will make your house smell amazing too!

Herbal Wassail Recipe (1)

Herbal Wassail Recipe

A delicious warm spiced cider mixed with herbal tea, cranberry, and orange.

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Servings

16 cups

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Herbal Tea

For the Wassail

Instructions

Brew the Herbal Tea

  • In a medium-sized saucepan or a tea kettle, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

  • Remove the water from the heat and add the red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, nettle, and dandelion leaf.

  • Allow the herbs to steep for 10-20 minutes.

  • Strain the tea and add it to a slow cooker, discarding the herbs.

Make the Wassail

  • Peel the oranges and divide them into sections.

  • Poke the cloves into the orange sections.

  • Add the clove-studded orange sections to the slow cooker with the herbal tea.

  • Add the cider, juices, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and ginger to the slow cooker.

  • Stir and heat for at least one hour.

  • Serve warm with a fresh orange slice and cinnamon stick.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Herbal Wassail Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 105Calories from Fat 5

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.5g1%

Saturated Fat 0.1g1%

Trans Fat 0.003g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.05g

Sodium 13mg1%

Potassium 255mg7%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 21g23%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 192IU4%

Vitamin C 20mg24%

Calcium 59mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Stovetop instructions: Combine everything in a large pot on the stove and heat over medium heat until warm.

You can also simmer the wassail on low in your slow cooker overnight to wake up to the lovely scent of cinnamon and oranges in the morning.

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How to Store and Reheat the Wassail Recipe

If you find yourself with some leftover herbal wassail, it can be stored in the fridge for several days. It also reheats well on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

More Warming Drinks

Check out some of my other favorite hot drink recipes here. These are perfect for the winter season, Christmas, or to ring in the New Year!

  • Hot apple cider
  • Mulling spices and mulled cider
  • Mulled wine
  • Hot chocolate

Have you ever made wassail before? What’s your favorite way to make it? Leave a comment and let me know!

Herbal Wassail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is wassail drink made of? ›

What is Wassail? Wassail is like the tastier sister to Apple Cider. Traditional wassail was made with hard liquor, apples, brandy, and other spices. This recipe is made with cloves, apples, cinnamon, lemon, orange, ginger, and nutmeg and is a nonalcoholic wassail recipe.

Is wassail good for you? ›

Because wassail is made with fruit juices and spices such as cinnamon and ginger, it can be soothing for a cold, and may even be helpful in easing congestion.

What is the difference between wassail and mulling spice? ›

Both contain spices and some juice. One of the main differences is that mulled wine is often made with whole oranges. However, Wassail is traditionally made with apple juice.

Where did wassail originate? ›

The text of the carol employs noun and verb forms of “wassail,” a word derived from the Old Norse ves heil and the Old English was hál and meaning “be in good health” or “be fortunate.” The phrase found first use as a simple greeting, but the Danish-speaking inhabitants of England seem to have turned was hail, and the ...

What is traditionally drunk during the tradition of wassailing? ›

Wassail (/ˈwɒsəl/, /-eɪl/ WOSS-əl, -⁠ayl, most likely from Old Norse "ves heill") is a beverage made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine and spices, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient English Yuletide drinking ritual and salutation either involved in door-to-door charity-giving or used to ...

Why do people drink wassail? ›

By wassailing their crops in the winter, it was said to ensure a healthy crop in the spring. As Christianity began to spread, this ritual evolved further into singing and drinking to the health of next season's crops on Twelfth Night; the last night of the traditional Christmas season.

References

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