Wassail Recipe
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Wassail is a traditional warm, spiced holiday punch featuring apple cider, vodka, brandy, oranges, cloves and cinnamon. Warm up to a cup of this spiced up festive and easy homemade Wassail punch during your holiday celebrations.
Wassail, or hot mulled cider is a delicious warm beverage perfect for all throughout the holiday season. Make it for a fun holiday celebration or a cozy night in, either way nothing tastes (or smells!) more like everyone’s favorite season.
Every time I think about warm and spicy Wassail, I start humming the cheerful Wassailing tune in my head, then it’s stuck in there for a while. It’s a happy tune so I’m not complaining. Are you familiar with the song?
“Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand’ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.”
Here’s a youtube link if you’re not familiar with it. But be forewarned, you’ll be humming it for the rest of the day!
This Wassail recipe comes from my mother and reminds me of home during the holidays. Not only is it delicious, warming you from your head to your toes, but it makes your home smell oh so wonderful! Plus it’s oh so easy to make.
Ingredients for Wassail
- whole cloves
- oranges
- cinnamon sticks
- apple cider
- orange juice
- fresh lemon juice
- vodka
- brandy
How to Make Wassail
- Begin by inserting cloves oranges. It helps to use a toothpick to make holes for cloves.
- Next warm apple cider in a stockpot. Add oranges with cloves, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, orange juice and lemon juice to the apple cider. Bring everything to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the post and cook for at least 30 minutes.
- When you’re ready to serve, carefully pour the punch into a heat-proof punch bowl.
- Finish by stirring in the vodka and brandy. Serve warm. (You can easily omit the alcohol for a non-alcoholic version. It will taste wonderful with or without the alcohol!)
More Holiday Cocktail and Beverage Recipes
- Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy Recipe
- Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Mulled Wine Recipe
- Irish Coffee Cocktail Recipe
- Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
Wassail Recipe
Wassail Recipe
This spiced up festive and easy Wassail punch is perfect for your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- whole cloves
- 3 medium oranges
- 10 cinnamon sticks
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups vodka
- 1/4 cup brandy
Instructions
Insert cloves into two (2) of the oranges about 1/2-inch apart. Use a toothpick to make holes for cloves if needed. Slice the remaining orange; set aside.
Warm cider in a stockpot. Add whole oranges with cloves, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, orange juice and lemon juice; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for at least 30 minutes.
When ready to serve, carefully pour into heat-proof punch bowl; stir in vodka and brandy*. Serve warm.
Notes
Notes:
*Omit alcohol for a non-alcoholic version.
Originally published November 12, 2015. Updated December 19, 2025.
I love your beautiful wassail, Amy. Makes me want to go caroling so I can sip on this after! Look forward to trying your mom’s recipe, know it’ll be excellent. Love (and miss) those magnolia leaves. xo
This recipe sounds delicious (sans alcohol; it gives me heartburn)!
I used to think I didn’t like wassail. Back in high school, a friend’s mother made it for a group of us during the holidays, saying the recipe was passed down to her from her Russian grandmother. It was terrible, but later we found out she had literally just microwaved orange Tang and sprinkled cinnamon on top! She insisted that’s how her grandma always made it. Yuck!
I’ll have to try the real thing now that I have a recipe!
Festive and beautiful. Sounds delicious both ways!
I have always wondered what wassail tastes like and was delighted to get this recipe. Can it be stored in the refrigerator and still keep its flavor? (There won’t be any alcohol in it.
Yes, it can.