Wassail Bowl Recipe

by Cindi Sutter, Chief Communicator & Editor of Spirited Table® recipe and back-story by brownielocks.com

Wassail Bowl Recipe (Makes 24 Cups)

Non-Alcoholic

photo from myrecipe.com

Ingredients

1 - Gallon Apple Cider

1 - Cup light or brown Sugar

1 - 6 oz can frozen Lemonade Concentrate

1 - 6 oz can frozen Orange Concentrate

1 - Tbsp Whole Cloves

1 - Tbsp Whole Allspice

1 - tsp ground Nutmeg

24 - Long Cinnamon Sticks

Instructions

1. Combine Cider, Brown Sugar, undiluted Lemonade and Orange Juice Concentrate.

2. Put Cloves and Allspice in Cheesecloth. Add to Cider with the Nutmeg.

3. Simmer covered for 20 minutes. Remove Bag. Place Cinnamon Sticks in cups and serve.

Now that you have the recipe, what is it? How did it all begin?  The word wassail comes from old English waes haeil, meaning “be in good health.” Wassailing became the custom of toasting each others good health during the holidays. From the beginning of the 13th century, it became a traditional beverage and toast during the Christmas season.  Only, the original beverage was not the recipe above. It was a mixture of roasted apples, ale, sugar, spices, and sometimes cream or eggs.  I'm not sure if a variation of this later turned into egg nog, which is native to the US.

Wassail also had it's own serving bowl that was quite large with a large spoon to pour the beverage into the cups.  This later turned into what today is known as punch bowls. And the Wassail beverage later got replaced with plain ol liquor and having a holiday drink and toast.  But no matter what the beverage of choice is today, be it alcoholic or not, toasting one another and wishing good cheer remains.