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up close holding a glass of wassail
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Wassail Drink

This wassail recipe has been a crowd favorite for decades, coming from Ireland! It delivers the perfect mix of sweet, tart, and warmly spiced flavors, with cozy aromas, festive fruit garnishes, and optional variations. Step-by-step instructions, serving tips, and storage ideas make it easy to bring to any gathering and create a new family holiday tradition!
Servings 16 servings
Author [email protected]

Ingredients

  • 4 cups orange juice or 2/3 of a 12-ounce can frozen concentrate, thawed, plus 3 cups of water
  • 1 12-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 3/4-1 cup sugar (start with 3/4 c)
  • 2 quarts apple cider
  • 4 cups water
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large cinnamon sticks
  • 1 inch piece ginger
  • 10 allspice berries
  • 10 whole cloves

ADD LAST

  • 1/4-1/2 tsp EACH ground cinnamon, ground ginger (optional, to taste)
  • 1 apple, sliced (optional for garnish)
  • 1 orange, sliced (optional for garnish)
  • 3/4 cup cranberries (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  • Combine: Combine orange juice (or concentrate + water), lemonade concentrate, sugar, cider, water, and nutmeg in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionall (this will take some time).
  • Wrap Spices: While heating, wrap cinnamon sticks, ginger, allspice berries, and cloves in a tea cloth or tea ball, then seal. Add to the pot.
  • Simmer, Then Stand: When boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, remove from the heat, cover, and let stand 45 minutes.
  • Season to Taste: When ready to serve, remove the teacloth of spices. Season to taste with additional spices (I like ½ teaspoon each ground cinnamon and ground ginger). Adjust the sweetness by adding extra sugar (stir so it dissolves) for sweeter, or orange juice/concentrate, a little at a time, for a tangier.
  • Make it Pretty! Garnish with optional apple, orange, and cranberries. Serve warm or hot, ladled into mugs. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Make ahead: Prepare the wassail base up to 1–2 days in advance (without garnishes), store in the refrigerator, and gently reheat on the stovetop or in a crockpot, adding fresh fruit and optional spices just before serving for maximum flavor and presentation.