Homemade hot Wassail is one of my favorite easy holiday drinks. A delicious warm cider drink that combines the flavors of orange and apple with cinnamon and spices.
A clear class filled with hot wassail and a cinnamon stick.
Wassail

My mom always brewed a big pot of hot wassail for us on Christmas Eve and the wonderful smells of this holiday drink still take me right back to my childhood.  This recipe has been passed down for several generations and is very special to our family!

I now love to make it for my family on Christmas morning, and we all agree that it’s the perfect warm, cozy drink to enjoy when it’s cold and snowy outside.  This is a great wassail recipe that only takes a few minutes to stir together and then it simmers to allow all the flavors to blend. Your house will smell amazing!

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.  You could certainly add alcohol if you wish!
How to make wassail:
To make hot wassail, start by piercing an apple all around the outside with whole cloves.
Add the apple and the rest of the ingredients and spices to a large saucepan. Simmer everything for up to 45 minutes.
Remove the apples and cloves. Serve warm and enjoy!
An overhead view of a large pot filled with wassail, orange slices, and apple, and cinnamon sticks.

We enjoy wassail all throughout the fall and winter months! I’ve even served it on Halloween as I sit outside with friends and neighbors as trick-or-treater’s come by. I’m confidant your family will love this recipe!

Consider trying these holiday drinks:

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Recipe

Hot Wassail is one of my favorite easy holiday drinks. A delicious warm cider drink that combines the flavors of orange and apple with cinnamon and spices. | tastesbetterfromscratch.com
5 from 11 votes

Hot Wassail

A hot cup of homemade Wassail is one of my favorite holiday drinks. It's a delicious hot cider drink that combines the flavors of orange and apple with cinnamon and spices.
Print Pin Rate
Author Lauren Allen
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 139
Prep 5 mins
Cook 30 mins
Total 35 mins
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Video

Ingredients
  

  • 2 apples
  • 8 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 15 whole cloves ,or ½ tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar , optional

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. Ladle into mugs and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 34gSodium: 9mgPotassium: 343mgFiber: 2gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 31.4mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 0.5mg

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Nutrition Facts
Hot Wassail
Amount per Serving
Calories
139
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
9
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
343
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
27
g
30
%
Vitamin A
 
120
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
31.4
mg
38
%
Calcium
 
39
mg
4
%
Iron
 
0.5
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have you tried this recipe?!

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.

I originally shared this recipe November 2013. I’ve updated it with new photos and clearer instructions.

 

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Comments

  1. This is the easiest recipe I have viewed. I don’t have a slow cooker or crock pot so this is ideal. I needed to omit lemon juice due to husband’s allergy but I don’t think it would ruin it.

    Reply

    2. Please NO! Do not use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider is similar to apple juice. You would not be able to drink a glass of apple cider vinegar.

      Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Wonderful! We made 2 crockpots full for our church handbell party, thinking we would have leftovers. Folks loved it so much they asked to take some home. So we’re making another batch just for us!

    Reply

  5. Will make this for United Methodist Church Ladies group in Lebanon Missouri for Thanksgiving Missionary Meeting

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    I made this for a ladies brunch & it was a big hit!! Thank you for the recipe. It brought back memories!!
    Happy New Year!! 2019

    Reply

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