Mulled Wassail Recipe (2024)

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Wassail is a traditional holiday mulled hot apple cider. Served with or without alcohol, wassail is traditionally served warm or hot. This is the perfect holiday drink to ring in the new year, toast on Christmas eve, or enjoy on cold winter days.

This is an easy wassail recipe filled with mulled cider, fruits, and spices. This is a delicious drink that is perfect during the winter months, especially during the holiday season. You might refer to this recipe as an apple cider punch or a cider wassail recipe, I just call it delicious. This is a favorite holiday drink of our family. I hope you enjoy it so much, it becomes a holiday tradition for your family, too.

Mulled Wassail Recipe

This is such a simple recipe and it can be served with or without liquor, so it is a great option for a Christmas party, New Year’s Party – well, any holiday party where there will be children in attendance as it is not spiked. A mug of wassail is a fabulous warm holiday drink. Make it special by adding garnishes on small plates or bowls near the wassail bowl so people can dress up their drink!

What exactly is a wassail?

According to Webster’s dictionary, it is an early English toast to someone’s good health. It is also a hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or cider, spices, sugar, and usually baked apples and is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime.

What liquor goes with Wassail?

Rum or whiskey are perfect complements to apple cider beverages.

If you would like more festive beverages for the holiday season, try one of these drink recipes:

Cranberry Bliss co*cktail
Homemade Eggnog Recipe
Holiday Cranberry Sangria Recipe
Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

Tips and variations for making this mulled wassail recipe:

● If you cannot find apple cider, substitute unfiltered apple juice.
● You can add one orange instead of two, or add more than two.
● This recipe places the whole orange into the pot. If you like you can use all orange slices, or place one whole orange in the pot and use a second orange to make slices.
● You can add one apple instead of two or add more than two. If you are using small apples you may want to use two apples to begin with, and add a third for good measure.
● If you like more – or less- ground cinnamon, ground clove, ground ginger, brown sugar, adjust accordingly.
● This recipe can be doubled or tripled to make a big batch for a large gathering.
● Add cranberries to the pot if you like. They are not necessary but do add a nice color.
● No cranberry juice in this recipe.
● As listed, this is a family recipe as it contains no liquor. If you are adding liquor, add a shot to individual mugs, and then add the wassail. The liquor will burn off a bit. Here is the USDA study on how much alcohol will burn off. The longer you heat it, the more it dissipates.
● If you transfer to a punch bowl for serving, the wassail will cool off unless on a hot plate (if you do this, make certain your punch bowl can take the heat!)

Mulled Wassail Ingredients:

● 2 quarts Apple Cider
● 1½ cups Orange Juice
● ¾ cup Pineapple Juice
● ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
● ¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves
● ¼ teaspoon Ginger
● 4 Cinnamon Sticks
● 2 Oranges
● 1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves, divided
● 2 Apples
● 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar

Mulled Wassail Mise en Place:

Large Stock Pot
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cup
Ladle
● Knife
Cutting Board

Mulled Wassail Directions:

1. Combine apple, orange, and pineapple juices in a large stockpot. Place on stove and begin to heat over a medium-low flame.

2. Add in the ground cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
3. Add in cinnamon sticks.

4. While the wassail is heating, take an orange and peel off several strips with a paring knife.
5. Add strips of the orange peel to the pot.
6. Place whole cloves into the orange where the peel has been stripped away.

7. Place the entire orange in the pot.

8. Slice the apple and add whole cloves to the slices.
9. Place apple slices and brown sugar into the pot.
10. Simmer wassail and serve hot.

11. To serve, garnish with cinnamon sticks and fruit slices if desired.

Yield: 1

Mulled Wassail Recipe

Mulled Wassail Recipe (13)

Mulled Wassail Recipe. Wassail is a traditional holiday mulled hot apple cider. Served with or without alcohol, wassail is traditionally served warm or hot. This is the perfect holiday drink to ring in the new year, toast on Christmas eve, or enjoy on cold winter days.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts Apple Cider
  • 1½ cups Orange Juice
  • ¾ cup Pineapple Juice
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon Ginger
  • 4 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 2 Oranges
  • 1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves, divided
  • 2 Apples
  • 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar

Instructions

    1. Combine apple, orange, and pineapple juices in a large stockpot. Place on stove and begin to heat over a medium-low flame.
    2. Add in the ground cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
    3. Add in cinnamon sticks.
    4. While the wassail is heating, take an orange and peel off several strips with a paring knife.
    5. Add strips of the orange peel to the pot.
    6. Place whole cloves into the orange where peel has been stripped away.
    7. Place the entire orange in the pot.
    8. Slice the apple and add whole cloves to the slices.
    9. Place apple slices and brown sugar into pot.
    10. Simmer wassail and serve hot.
    11. To serve, garnish with cinnamon sticks and fruit slices if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 115Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 1g

Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.

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Mulled Wassail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

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.

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.

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 ...

What is the difference between cider and mulled cider? ›

Here's the difference between apple cider and apple juice: Apple cider is just unfiltered apple juice that can be served hot or cold. Mulled apple cider is unfiltered apple juice that's been heated and flavored with mulling spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; and fruits like oranges, lemons, and apples.

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.

Is mulled wine very alcoholic? ›

Not much. Mulled wine is warmed, not boiled. Usually with added spices. Whether in a still or in boeuf bourguignon, the higher the heat, the more alcohol is released.

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.

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.

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 most drunk drink at Christmas? ›

Top ten Christmas drinks
  • Beer. ...
  • co*cktails. ...
  • Eggnog. ...
  • Gin. ...
  • Mulled wine. ...
  • Rum. ...
  • Hot chocolate. ...
  • Whisky. Rich, warming, and high on the list of festive favourites, whisky is enjoyed all year round, but it really comes into its own at Christmas.
Nov 13, 2023

What is pagan wassailing? ›

What is wassailing? The purpose is to encourage the spirits into ensuring a good harvest the following season. It takes place on the twelfth night after Christmas and involves a visit to a nearby orchard for singing, dancing, drinking and general merrymaking.

What is a classic Christmas drink? ›

Scroll through this list for timeless holiday classics like Eggnog and Hot Buttered Rum; boozy versions of hot chocolate; and new riffs on classics like our Cranberry Ginger Mimosa and a Negroni that tastes like a Christmas tree. We've also included decadent after-dinner drinks and punches for a crowd.

Does the alcohol cook off in mulled cider? ›

Very little alcohol will cook off. The boiling point of ethanol is 79C - you should WARM mulled wine and certainly not bring it anywhere near close to 79C.

What liquor is best in hot cider? ›

I prefer bourbon but whiskey or a dark rum with caramel flavors would also work wonderfully. What kind of bourbon goes in spiked apple cider? I used Makers Mark for this recipe which is one of my favorite bourbon brands. However, other brands I also recommend Four Roses or Woodford Reserve as other great options.

Why is my mulled cider bitter? ›

Between day 9 and 12 of active fermentation the cider loses all apple flavor and becomes bitter.

What is another name for 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.

Is mulled wine the same as mulled cider? ›

When the weather gets cold, that means it's the best time of year to make your favorite warm drinks! Mulled wine is a hot beverage that's made by mixing wine with various spices and letting it simmer before serving warm. Mulled cider is the same concept, just with cider instead of wine!

What is similar to mulled wine? ›

Just as warming as mulled wine, mulled cider is a less sweet alternative. Made using a similar technique, mulled cider is packed with spices to create a harmonious taste that can be served in mugs or fancy glasses.

What is the traditional name for mulled wine? ›

Also known as glühwein, vino caliente, glögg, vin brulé, bisschopswijn, vin chaud, candola, vinho quente…or literally a hundred other names, depending on where in the world life may find you. Needless to say, it seems like just about everyone in the world loves some hot wine.

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