Wassail Recipe (Traditional)

This Hot Wassail recipe is a delicious drink made with warm apple cider, juice, brown sugar, and spices. This warm holiday drink is made in the slow cooker for ease and is perfect for serving at gatherings!

Traditional Recipe for Wassail

The first time I ever had Wassail was at the Christmas Markets In Poland back in 2016. It was life-changing. Okay, that might sound a bit dramatic, but since then it has now become a holiday tradition in our own home.

This wassail tastes primarily like hot mulled cider, but it’s slightly sweeter and laced with tart flavors of citrus.

Wassail means “be in good health” and Wassailing was an English Yuletide and New Year’s Eve tradition where people went door signing and offering a drink from the wassail bowl to their friends and neighbors.

A Warm Large Batch Drink

Over the years, wassailing turned into caroling and the tradition faded in popularity, but it is still practiced in some parts of Scotland and England. In many places, Wassail has become a drink that extends from the harvest season right through to the new year.

The original recipe for traditional wassail seems to be unknown. Many believe it was made with ale, eggs, and apples while others claim it was made with hard liquor.

Whenever I have had it in Europe during Christmastime, it’s always been non-alcoholic and made with juice and spices. So that’s the way I made it!

Wassail Punch Ingredients

This classic mulled drink recipe is made by mulling cider with orange, pineapple, and lemon juices.

It’s sweetened and spiced with:

• brown sugar
• cinnamon
• cloves
• star anise
• ginger
• nutmeg

I always add slices of fresh apples and oranges too, but you don’t have to. It’s doesn’t add much to the flavor but does make for a pretty presentation.

How to make Traditional Wassail Punch

As I said before, this is a really simple recipe to make. The only real effort you’re going to put in is slicing up and apple and orange and even those two things are entirely optional in this recipe.

1. Add the fruit slices, spices, sugar, juices, and cider to the crockpot and stir to combine.
2. Cook for 2 to 3 hours.
3. Serve hot mulled wassail in mugs and garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

How to make Traditional Wassail Drink on the Stove

If it’s late on Christmas Eve and you don’t have time to use the crockpot, you can add everything to a large pot and cook over medium-low heat for 30 to 45 minutes.

How To Freeze this Wassail Recipe

This recipe makes a big batch, but it’s really easy to freeze if you have leftovers!

Allow the liquid to cool in the crockpot to room temperature then add it to freezer bags, squeezing out as much excess air as possible.

Lay the freezer bags flat on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until frozen. Remove from the baking sheet and store for up to 3 months.

Thaw in a bowl in the refrigerator and reheat in the crockpot, microwave, or on the stove.

Does wassail contain alcohol?

Traditionally, yes. However, it’s become more and more common for it to be a nonalcoholic drink, usually promoted as a kid-safe drink at European Christmas Markets.
This recipe does not contain alcohol, but you could definitely add some if you’d like to!

What’s the difference between cider and wassail?

Traditionally, they are one and the same (sort of). Cider is usually just cider, unless you mull it, which then brings it closer to Wassail. Wassail is a hot mulled punch, usually with a cider base and spices, but often includes other fruit juices too!

Does wassail contain orange juice?

Not all Wassail recipes do, but this one does, along with pineapple and lemon juice.

More Delicious Drinks like this Wassail Recipe!

• Crockpot Hot Chocolate – This thick, rich, and decadent hot cocoa is perfect for winter!
• Christmas Punch – An iced drink recipe the whole family can enjoy this holiday season!
• Cranberry Apple Cider Punch – The perfect non-alcoholic punch for Thanksgiving!
• Cranberry Cooler – A tart and minty mocktail that takes just a couple of minutes to make!