12/16/2025
Let's talk about Wassail!
I only recently tried it, for the very first time, I'm sad to say. I've wasted all of my life not having Wassail. It. Is. Fantastic.
Wassail isn’t just cozy holiday cheer. It’s old-school winter medicine wearing a party hat! 🥳
The word wassail comes from the Old English phrase “wæs hæl,” which literally means “be whole” or “be in good health” (Oxford English Dictionary). One person would raise the bowl and say wæs hæl (be well), and the others would answer back drinc hæl (drink and be well).
So from the beginning, wassail wasn’t about getting tipsy. It was a spoken blessing, a communal health wish, wrapped in a warm drink.
Over time, that blessing turned into a tradition. Neighbors sharing a bowl. Songs being sung. Apple orchards being “wassailed” to ensure a healthy harvest. And the drink itself taking on warming, medicinal spices to support people through winter.
In other words, wassail literally means health in a cup.
It's loaded with herbs and fruits that actually do things for your body:
- Apples support digestion and gut health
- Citrus brings vitamin C for immune support
- Ginger warms circulation and helps with nausea and inflammation
- Cinnamon supports blood sugar balance and circulation
- Cloves are antimicrobial and soothing for sore throats
- Nutmeg supports digestion, eases tension, and gently calms the nervous system
Warm, spiced drinks like wassail help open the pores, improve circulation, and encourage the body to sweat just a little. That’s physiology! And it's comforting, because it works. It warms you from the inside out, supports immunity, soothes the nerves, and tells your body it’s safe to rest for a minute. It activates the parasympathetic nervous sytem and I don't know about you, but I need all the help with that I can get.
So yes, by all means, drink the wassail! Your ancestors would approve 🥰
Here's the recipe I used in my Winterwood class, from "Tastes Better from Scratch" (link below) ... it's soooooo good.
2 apples
8 cups apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1/3 cup lemon juice
4 cinnamon sticks (I prefer ceylon)
15 whole whole cloves ,or ½ tsp ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar, optional (I skip this, it isn't needed)
Instructions
Poke the whole cloves into the apples on all sides.
Add all of the ingredients, including the apples, to a large pot over medium low heat.
Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Remove the apples and whole cloves (I leave the apples because I think they're pretty!). Ladle into mugs and enjoy!
Notes
Storage Instructions: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also make this in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to heat and enjoy.
Slow Cooker Wassail: To make Wassail in the crockpot, add all ingredients and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Reheating Instructions: The microwave, stove, or slow cooker can be used to reheat this hot wassail. Just heat until it's your desired temperature.
(Wassail traditions info from "Stations of the Sun," by Ronald Hutton)
This traditional Wassail recipe is a warm cider drink that balances the flavors of orange and apple with cinnamon and spices perfectly!
