Best Ever Hot Wassail Recipe (2024)

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November 13, 2013 By Jen 24 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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This is the most amazing hot wassail drink I’ve ever had! Easy to make and full of delicious spices, this wassail will soon be a holiday favorite in your house!

Last year, I was put in charge of my church’s Christmas party. Um, yeah. I was basically freaking out about the responsibility. It was SO much work! (I still have no clue why they asked me of all people to do it…) But it all turned out beautifully! We had a horse and carriage ride, outdoor games, yummy catered food, great entertainment and of course, the jolly man himself came too!

I had asked a friend to bring a couple gallons of a warm drink for people to sip on during the carriage rides and she brought this very recipe for theBest Ever Hot Wassail Recipe. I love hot cider drinks but had never made any myself before.

When I tasted it, I was in love. Yummiest drink ever! It just screamsChristmas! When I got the Best Ever Hot Wassail Recipe, I made it like 100 times right away. It makes your house smell amazing, too. It’s very easy to make and if the recipe is too big, it’s easy to half. It warms you up and seriously is the most delicious wassail I’ve ever had! Try it this holiday season and see for yourself! Pretty sure it will turn into a family favorite..

Amazing hot wassail aka hot cider drink

5 from 112 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Jenn

Ingredients

▢ 8 cups apple cider
▢ 2 cups orange juice
▢ 1/2 cup lemon juice
▢ 4 whole cinnamon sticks
▢ 12 whole cloves or 1 teaspoon ground cloves
▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large pan.
Bring to simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce heat and continue simmering for 45 minutes. Ladle into cups or mugs and enjoy!

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Still thirsty? Check out these drinks:

Strawberry Limeade

Mexican Horchata

Cranberry Spritzer

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About Jen

Jen Nikolaus is a recipe blogger and photographer over atYummy Healthy Easy. She lives in beautiful Southern California with her husband and four boys. You’ll find her sharinghealthier, budget-friendly, family-friendly, and easy dishes withsome yummy desserts thrown in, too! Thanks for stopping by!

Comments

jackie jade says
November 15, 2013 at 2:02 pm

yum! this looks so amazing. love warm drinks in the winter 🙂
— jackie @ jade and oak
Reply
Holly @ Holly's Helpings says
November 16, 2013 at 2:31 am

I haven’t heard of wassail before, but it sounds great! I’m going to have to try this.
Reply
Carrie says
November 16, 2013 at 5:08 am

Stopping by from Link Party Palooza and pinned Horchata and the wassail, which I will be trying both soon!
Reply
julieseatsandtreats says
November 17, 2013 at 2:45 am

I know why they put you in charge! I know you did a wonderful job 🙂 I would love to warm up with a big mug of this by the fireplace this winter!
Reply
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
November 18, 2013 at 9:47 pm

I’ve never tried wassail, but I’m seeing it everywhere! Sounds like something I need to try this year for sure!!
Reply
Amanda Papenfus Eatherly says
November 19, 2013 at 8:43 pm

I knew about wassailing (caroling), but I didn’t know there was a drink called wassail. This looks good. I’ll have to try it.
Reply
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Ginnie says
November 23, 2013 at 10:32 pm

This sounds so delicious! I have some apple cider in my fridge that I was going to heat up with some cinnamon sticks, but this sounds so much better:)
Reply
Jeanette says
December 11, 2016 at 7:36 pm

This recipe is exactly like the one my dad used to make when I was a girl, except he took all the spices, including the cinnamon sticks, and placed them in a cheese cloth, tied them inside and put it in 4 cups of water with 2 1/2 cups of sugar. Heat the water enough to dissolve the sugar. This simple sugar was infused with the cheese cloth filled with the spices. Refrigerate over night, then add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a slow simmer. Enjoy. 🙂
Reply
RACHELLE GREENWELL says
December 29, 2016 at 2:10 pm

Lemon juice or lemonade? That sounds really lemony.
Reply
- Jen says
  December 30, 2016 at 10:19 am
  
  I recently remade this and used fresh lemon juice and it was amazing! You can definitely use lemonade too. If you’re thinking 1/2 cup is too much, you can bump the fresh lemon juice down to 1/4 cup. It needs that acidity in there from the lemons to boost the flavor. Enjoy!!
  Reply
  - arlene says
    December 18, 2020 at 5:23 pm
    
    my favorite recipe I have used for 40 years is the one with lemon juice. This is the BEST RECIPE
    Reply
Jeanette armstrong says
November 4, 2017 at 11:08 pm

Love this recipe! I have been making this wonderful winter drink starting in early November for years. The only difference is I combine the cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger into a cheese cloth and let it steep in the sugar and water for an hour before adding the apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. I rarely have individual mugs with a cinnamon stick because the recipe makes a very large batch and if each mug had a cinnamon stick it can get expensive. Cinnamon sticks are not cheap.
Reply
Kristi Van Eaton says
December 14, 2018 at 3:46 pm

Can I make this in a slow cooker? If so, how long should I let it simmer?
Reply
- Jen says
  December 27, 2018 at 2:01 pm
  
  I would say on low for 4 hours? Let me know if you make it and how it turns out!
  Reply
  - Debbie says
    October 28, 2022 at 5:48 am
    
    I made it in the crock pot last year and my family raved over it. It makes the house smell like Fall and/or Christmas. I like being able to keep it hot throughout the day or night so it’s ready whenever someone comes in out of the cold. I’m making it this weekend for a Fall party.
    Reply
    - Jen says
      October 28, 2022 at 6:50 am
      
      I’m so happy you liked it!! I’m making it this weekend, too! It’s going to rain all day today so hot wassail is on the menu. 🙂
      Reply
Angela says
December 21, 2018 at 9:33 pm

I find it too tart how do I cut that.
Reply
- Jen says
  December 27, 2018 at 2:01 pm
  
  Add more OJ and apple cider! Sometimes the lemon juice adds a little too much tartness.
  Reply
Laura,(Ana),(A.K.A.); (Nickname: Annie)(Last: Flores) says
December 24, 2019 at 9:32 am

Easy hope no ones allergic
Reply
julius thompson says
December 20, 2020 at 12:45 pm

Excellent!
Reply
Chelsea says
July 31, 2021 at 3:52 pm

Putting together my Christmas party ideas and recipes.. this Wassail seems easy and sounds delicious! Thank you
Reply
Jameson says
November 3, 2021 at 4:12 pm

I love wassail! I make it for my kids every year. Best holiday drink! I tried this recipe, because I couldn’t find my old one. I cut the lemon juice in half and added a 12 oz bag of whole fresh cranberries. It adds another layer of flavor and some additional tartness. Turned out amazing!
PSA: if you do add cranberries, keep your distance! The skins burst as the wassail heats up and they can squirt hot liquid at you.
Reply
Jana says
December 13, 2022 at 6:17 pm

I served it to two classrooms of early childhood educators. They loved it and asked me for the recipe.
Reply
- Jen says
  December 16, 2022 at 7:54 am
  
  Yay!! Thank you so much!
  Reply

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FAQs

How do you make wassail mix at Biltmore? ›

Biltmore Wassail Recipe with Merlot

Produce. • 1 Apples.
Condiments. • 1 tsp Honey. • 1/4 oz Lemon juice, freshly squeezed.
Baking & Spices. • 2 tsp Biltmore wassail spice blend. • 1 Cinnamon stick.
Beer, Wine & Liquor. • 3 oz Biltmore red wine. • 3/4 oz Hudson bourbon. • 1 dash Walnut bitters.
Liquids. • 2 oz Water.

Learn More Now ›

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 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.

Discover More Details ›

What's the difference between wassail and mulled wine? ›

There are very few differences between mulled cider and Wassail Punch. 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.

Keep Reading ›

What is in Trader Joe's wassail? ›

A sweetened blend of black currant, apple, and lemon juices, with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and orange peel, Trader Joe's Winter Wassail is a fruit punch whose flavors and aromas evoke the holidays. You can serve it chilled, over ice with bourbon; or warmed, in a big mug, with a cinnamon stick garnish.

See Details ›

What did the Vanderbilts eat at Biltmore? ›

A 1904 menu book, which recorded a lot of what the Vanderbilts ate that year, shows the family enjoyed sumptuous holiday feasts including oysters, consommé royale, Spanish mackerel, and even calves' brains with mushroom sauce and a fashionable salad of celery served with Virginia ham.

Discover More ›

What country is wassail from? ›

In the cider-producing counties in the South West of England (primarily Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire) or South East England (Kent, Sussex, Essex, and Suffolk), as well as Jersey, wassailing refers to a traditional ceremony that involves singing and drinking to the health of ...

Explore More ›

What the heck is wassailing? ›

Wassailing is an age-old West Country tradition to awaken the apple trees and scare evil spirits away to bring on a plentiful harvest. It's still widely popular in the cider-producing counties of the West Country, including Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and Herefordshire.

Keep Reading ›

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.

Learn More Now ›

What are the two types of wassailing? ›

The tradition of wassailing (alt sp wasselling) falls into two distinct categories: the house-visiting wassail and the orchard-visiting wassail.

Keep Reading ›

What do you eat with wassail? ›

“Wassail” is a traditional English punch, consisting of mulled cider and spices. It's very easy to make, and is traditionally served with cinnamon sticks and apple cake, but is also a great complement to either a full meal or appetizers.

Discover More ›

Why is it called wassail? ›

The word 'wassail' comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase 'waes hael', which means 'good health'. Originally, the wassail was a drink made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar. It was served from huge bowls, often made of silver or pewter.

Discover More ›

Why do they toast at wassail? ›

The word 'Wassail' comes from the Anglo Saxon toast 'waes hael' – meaning 'be well' or 'be in good health'. This ceremony promotes the health of the trees and encourages a bountiful harvest, traditionally taking place around the old Twelfth Night (January 17).

What is a beverage of hot mulled cider called? ›

Wassail is a tasty drink made with apple cider, fruit juice, and mulling spices. Sweet, spiced, and a little tart, it's just what you need to warm up on a chilly night.

Get More Info ›

What Christmas British drink is now known as mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.

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 ...

Get More Info Here ›

What is the wassail dispensed from a wassail bowl? ›

“Wassail” is a traditional English punch, consisting of mulled cider and spices. It's very easy to make, and is traditionally served with cinnamon sticks and apple cake, but is also a great complement to either a full meal or appetizers.

Get More Info ›

Can I bring a water bottle to Biltmore? ›

Only clear, plastic water bottles are permitted inside Biltmore House. Outside alcohol and tailgating—including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers—are not permitted on estate grounds.

Discover More Details ›

Best Ever Hot Wassail Recipe (2024)

Ingredients

Instructions

Still thirsty? Check out these drinks:

For even more great ideas follow me on:

Facebook–Pinterest–Instagram–Twitter

About Jen

Comments

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FAQs

How do you make wassail mix at Biltmore? ›

What do you eat with wassail? ›