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.
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!
Why I Love This Traditional Wassail Recipe
- It’s Delicious! The blend of cider, juice, and spices is perfect for enjoying on chilly nights or holiday gatherings.
- It’s Easy! All you have to do is add everything to the crockpot and let it cook for a few hours before serving.
- It Freezes Well! If you aren’t hosting a big crowd but still want to make this part of your holiday tradition, you can freeze any leftovers!
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.
Step 1: Add the fruit slices, spices, sugar, juices, and cider to the crockpot and stir to combine.
Step 2: Cook for 2 to 3 hours.
Step 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.
Wassail Recipe FAQs
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!
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!
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!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!
Wassail Recipe (Traditional)
Ingredients
- 1 apple sliced
- 1 orange sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 10 whole cloves
- 4 star anise
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large crockpot and cook on high for at least 2 hours or low for at least 4 hours.
- Keep on warm and serve straight from the crockpot.
Notes
- For best flavor, make sure to use fresh apple cider and not the shelf stable kind or apple juice. Usually fresh apple cider is found in the produce section or at your local orchard.
- If 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.
- Store extra in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze.
- This drink is 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 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.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more!
Comments & Reviews
Shauna says
This was such a cozy warm drink to make on a cold, snowy day! We added a shot of fireball and also tried it after it cooled, very good! It tasted like a very rich apple cider.
J. Mc says
Your Wassail is fabulous! The whole family loved it.
Will make this my only recipe for the winter season.
Thanks for sharing.
Tony Leasck says
Add a little rum. YUMMMMMMMMMMM!
Jeanine D. says
I made this for a “Crocktober” event at work and it was such a hit, wow! I made it as-written, give or take a star anise. 🙂 I doubled the recipe and had to do it in two batches since it wouldn’t all fit in the crockpot, and coworkers were apparently counting down the minutes until the second round was ready. Was hoping to have some left over so that I could take it home and try it spiked, but it was all gone! Guess I’ll just have to plan to make it again one day. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Wow, glad it was such a hit!
Kristen says
Made this for New Year’s Eve and it was a shocking addition to our spread! Absolutely delicious and bursting with flavor. Throw it all in the crock pot and it’s ready in 2 hours! That’s my kind of cooking!
Adrienne L. says
I made this on a particularly cold day when I had some family visiting. Using the crockpot made this so easy and everyone just helped themselves while it stayed nice and warm. Such a nice combination of flavors and we set it up so that the adults in the group could add a little rum as well. Everyone loved it!
Susie says
In serving the wassail do you strain the spices and fruit?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I don’t but you certainly could put the in a cheesecloth bundle for easy removal if desired.