There’s something magical about the holiday season, isn’t there? The air turns crisp, homes are adorned with twinkling lights, and there’s an unmistakable warmth that seems to wrap around us like a cozy blanket. One of my favorite ways to embrace this festive spirit is by brewing a big pot of Christmas Wassail. It’s not just a drink; it’s a tradition that fills the house with sweet, spicy aromas and brings everyone together. I remember my grandmother making wassail each Christmas Eve, her kitchen filled with laughter and the inviting scent of spices. Now, it’s a cherished tradition I share with my own family, and I’m thrilled to share it with you.
Why You’ll Love This Festive Drink
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Heartwarming Tradition: Christmas Wassail is steeped in history and tradition, making it a perfect beverage for creating lasting holiday memories with loved ones. From its origins as a medieval English toast to its current form as a warm, spiced cider punch, wassail has been enjoyed at winter gatherings for centuries. Sharing this drink with your family and friends connects you to generations past and creates new memories. The act of wassailing itself was a communal event, where people would gather together, singing and sharing goodwill, often visiting neighbors to offer a drink from the wassail bowl.
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Delightful Aromas: As it simmers, your home will be filled with the comforting scents of cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, setting the perfect holiday ambiance. These aromas are known to evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia, transporting you to a cozy, festive environment even on the chilliest of days. The scent alone is enough to make any space feel like home, inviting everyone to gather around for warmth and cheer.
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Easy to Prepare: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this delightful drink ready in no time, leaving you more moments to enjoy with family and friends. The simplicity of this recipe makes it a stress-free addition to any holiday menu, allowing you more time to focus on enjoying the company of your loved ones. Even if you’re juggling multiple dishes, wassail is a no-fuss option that delivers maximum impact.
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Kid-Friendly and Versatile: This non-alcoholic version is perfect for all ages, but you can easily add a splash of rum or bourbon for the adults if desired. This flexibility ensures that everyone at your holiday gathering can enjoy the wassail in a way that suits their taste. For a more robust flavor, consider using spiced rum or a flavored whiskey, which can complement the existing spices beautifully.
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Nutritional Boost: Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, this beverage not only tastes good but offers some nutritional benefits as well. The fruits and spices in wassail contribute to a nourishing drink that can help support your immune system during the winter months. With the combination of juices and spices, you’re not only indulging in a festive treat but also giving your body a little extra protection against the winter chill.
The Recipe
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 218 per serving
Ingredients:
- ½ gallon apple cider
- 1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
- 46 fluid ounces cranberry juice cocktail
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
Instructions:
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Combine Liquids: In a large stockpot, pour in the apple cider, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything well. This combination of juices creates a balanced blend of sweetness and tartness that is the hallmark of a great wassail. The apple cider serves as a rich, flavorful base, while the pineapple and cranberry juices add layers of tropical and tart notes.
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Add Spices: Place the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, and cloves into a muslin pouch or tie them up in cheesecloth. If you don’t have either, you can add them directly to the pot, but remember to strain the wassail before serving. The spices are crucial for infusing the drink with layers of flavor and aroma. Using a spice pouch makes it easy to remove the spices once they’ve imparted their flavor, ensuring a smooth drinking experience.
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Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Simmering also ensures that the spices release their full potential into the drink, resulting in a rich and satisfying flavor. Stir occasionally, and take in the wonderful aromas filling your kitchen.
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Serve: Carefully remove the orange slices and spice pouch (or strain if added directly) before ladling the wassail into mugs. Serve warm, and enjoy the holiday cheer! Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a slice of orange for an elegant touch. If you’re feeling particularly festive, add a star anise to each mug for an extra touch of holiday magic.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
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Large Stockpot: Essential for holding all the ingredients and allowing them to simmer gently. A pot with a thick bottom is ideal as it distributes heat evenly and prevents scorching. The size of the pot is crucial; it should be large enough to allow the juice to move freely as it simmers, ensuring even heat distribution and flavor infusion.
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Muslin Pouch or Cheesecloth: For containing the spices, making them easy to remove. This ensures a smooth final beverage without bits of spice floating in your mug. If you’re using cheesecloth, fold it into multiple layers to ensure none of the smaller spice particles escape into the drink.
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Ladle: For serving the wassail into mugs. A ladle with a spout is helpful to prevent spilling as you pour. This small detail can make serving a large gathering more efficient and less messy.
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Knife and Cutting Board: To thinly slice the orange. A sharp knife will make this task quick and easy, creating even slices that look beautiful in the pot. Presentation matters, especially for festive occasions, and neatly sliced oranges add to the visual appeal of your wassail.
The Benefits of Each Ingredient
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Apple Cider: The base of our wassail, apple cider adds natural sweetness and a hint of tartness. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamins. The cider’s robust flavor forms the backbone of the wassail, providing a comforting and familiar taste. When choosing cider, opt for a high-quality, unfiltered variety for the best flavor and health benefits.
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Pineapple Juice: This adds a tropical touch and balances the tartness of the cranberry juice. It’s also packed with vitamin C and bromelain, which aids digestion. Pineapple juice enhances the overall sweetness and introduces a bright, refreshing note. It acts as a wonderful counterbalance to the spices, ensuring a harmonious blend with each sip.
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Cranberry Juice: Known for its high antioxidant content, cranberry juice adds depth and a lovely color to the wassail. Its tartness cuts through the sweetness, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Cranberry juice is also renowned for its health benefits, particularly for urinary health, making it a beneficial addition to the drink.
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Orange: The thin slices infuse the drink with citrus notes, enhancing its festive flavor while adding a dose of vitamin C. Oranges are synonymous with Christmas and add a burst of color and zest. They contribute to the overall sensory experience of the drink, making it visually appealing and aromatic.
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Cinnamon Sticks: Not only do they provide a warming spice, but cinnamon is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Its sweet-spicy aroma is quintessentially festive and comforting. Cinnamon has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is believed to help regulate blood sugar levels.
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Allspice Berries & Cloves: These spices add complexity and a festive aroma, rounding out the flavor profile of the wassail. Allspice combines notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, while cloves add a pungent, sweet warmth. Both spices have antimicrobial properties, adding a healthful component to your holiday drink.
What to Serve With This Festive Drink
Christmas Wassail pairs beautifully with a variety of holiday treats. Here are some delightful suggestions to complete your festive spread:
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Gingerbread Cookies: The spiced cookies complement the wassail’s flavors perfectly. Their molasses-rich flavor and spice profile mirror the wassail’s warmth, creating a cohesive taste experience. Check out our Gingerbread Cookie recipe here. These cookies are not only delicious but also a fun activity to engage in with family and friends, especially if you decorate them together.
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Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses, crackers, and fruit can provide a savory counterpoint to the sweet wassail. Consider offering a mix of soft and hard cheeses, along with dried fruits and nuts, for a balanced platter. A well-prepared cheese board can serve as a conversation starter and keeps guests mingling and enjoying themselves.
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Roast Turkey or Ham: If you’re serving a holiday meal, wassail can be a delightful accompaniment to the main course, adding a comforting warmth to the table. Its sweetness complements savory dishes, making it a versatile addition to your dinner spread. The drink’s spiced notes work particularly well with the rich flavors of roasted meats, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Storage & Leftover Tips
If you find yourself with leftover Christmas Wassail (though it’s so delicious, that’s unlikely!), here are some tips to store and enjoy it later:
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Refrigeration: Allow the wassail to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This makes it easy to prepare in advance and enjoy throughout the week. Consider storing it in a glass container to maintain the flavors without any plastic aftertaste.
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Reheating: To reheat, simply pour the desired amount into a saucepan and warm over low heat until heated through. Avoid boiling, as this can alter the flavors. Gentle heating preserves the delicate balance of spiced flavors. For a quick reheat, you can also use a microwave-safe mug and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
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Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the wassail. Pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove. This is a great option if you want to enjoy wassail beyond the holiday season. When ready to serve, you might need to simmer it again briefly to reawaken the spices.
Creating this Christmas Wassail is more than just making a drink; it’s about crafting an experience that brings warmth and joy to your home. Whether you’re serving it at a large holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, this wassail is sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.
For more festive recipes and holiday inspiration, visit our Holiday Baking Collection and try out our Classic Eggnog Recipe. Embrace the season, and happy cooking!
Christmas Wassail
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a stockpot, combine apple cider, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice.
- Add orange slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, and cloves in a muslin pouch or directly into the mixture.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Remove the orange slices and spices before serving.