Old Fashioned Wassail
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Old Fashioned Wassail takes apple juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and spices and transforms them into the ultimate winter warm-you-up drink. It’s like a hug from your grandma, but in a cup.
We have a tradition in my house that started in October, but whenever October got too busy because of kids activities it moved to November and now it’s called Mocktoberfest. This is my own made-up holiday. On this day we all get together and go walk down to watch our small town’s holiday parade, we celebrate my sister’s birthday, everyone brings a crock pot of soup, and we spend the whole day talking and eating.
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever done a small town holiday parade in north Missouri, but I’ll fill you in on how it goes. You get up pretty early and you go stand outside in the freezing butt cold for a couple hours to watch everyone you know and their uncle on their handmade parade floats and you stand there until you can’t feel your fingers or toes or your nose.
I started making this old fashioned wassail as a way to warm us up when we got back from the parade. Let me tell you there is nothing like walking into my house after standing outside in the cold and just being enveloped with the scent of this rich, spicy, and fruity apple cider drink. It is one of those things that just warms you from the inside out.
Real quick let’s talk about wassail. I need you to help me settle an argument. How do you pronounce this word? Because I say wah-sail, like sailboat. My husband says wossil like rhymes with fossil. The internet says we are both right, which does nothing to settle this debate! So tell me how you say it!
Old fashioned wassail is the perfect drink for any holiday gatherings or parties, because it’s so easy to throw together. Simply pour 2 quarts of apple juice, 1 quart of cranberry juice, and 1 can of Dole pineapple juice into a 5 quart or larger crockpot. Slice an orange into 4-5 slices and stick 5 or so cloves into each orange slice. Add your clove studded oranges and 5 cinnamon sticks to the crockpot and cook it on low for 4-5 hours. That’s it! Easy peasy and it looks so pretty. If you don’t have a crockpot this large, you can make old fashioned wassail on the stove top. Just put the ingredients in a large stockpot and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
Old Fashioned Wassail
Ingredients
- 2 quarts apple juice
- 1 quart cranberry juice
- 1 46 ounce can Dole pineapple juice
- 1 orange
- 20-25 whole cloves
- 5 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Slice the orange into 4 to 5 slices. Push 4-5 cloves into each orange slice and set aside.
- Add the juices to a 5-6 quart crockpot.
- Add the oranges and cinnamon sticks to the juice mixture. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Serve hot.
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Notes
Nutrition
You might also enjoy these hot drinks!
I had my first taste of this delightful hot punch years ago. We were told the tradition is, You’re supposed to serve to all your guests as they enter your home and toast saying “to your good health!” Rich in vitaman C, loaded with antioxidants, and steeped with virus fighting cinnamon….I can sure agree it is a drink to sure help ensure good health!
Oh, that’s fun! Thanks for sharing that backstory, Paula.
I made this for Thanksgiving, and because some of our family doesn’t drink alcohol, this went over better than I had expected. I’m so glad I made it and it’s going to be a staple every holiday! It’s warm and comforting. Thank you!!
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving. My family LOVED it and requested it again for Christmas. Thank you for sharing this.
I’ve been reading a little bit about the history and origin of wassail, and according to the sources I’ve researched the correct pronunciation is WOS AYL (sail has two syllables and rhymes with trial).
That’s a new one to me! I’ve never heard that pronunciation before. Thanks for sharing Julie!
I am making this Christmas Eve. It looks and sounds wonderful. Having 20 for that day. They will love it.
SAIL – we sang the carol in college as part of the Glee Club http://www.lyricsondemand.com/christmascarols/w/wassailwassailalloverthetown2lyrics.html
Yay, another vote for SAIL. I think I’ve pulled ahead in the votes.
Does it matter if I use 100% cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail? Thanks!
No, use whichever is available where you are Renee. Either should work fine.
I found this a little late for Christmas, But it’s still winter and never to early for next Christmas. We pronounce it sail although I have heard the Gloucestershire Wassail sung wassil, wassail, and that is no help at all…
Wassail is great any time it’s cold out. In fact, I’m sitting here looking at a bunch of iced over trees outside wishing I had some right now. Thanks for your vote in the sail-sil debate. I’m beginning to think that there is no right answer.
Sorry, I’m with your husband … wassail rhymes with fossil. 🙂 I’m looking forward to trying this recipe!! Thank you.
Hope you enjoy it Karen! (Even if you do pronounce it different than me.) 🙂
Not sure if I want to stand in the freezing cold, but I guess I wouldn’t mind coming back to drink this warm drink. Thanks for the recipe. Pinned.
Mmmm, this looks delicious! Love the addition of the cinnamon stick too, reminds me a lot of apple cider recipes I see.
Wassail is a favorite at our house around the holidays! So delicious!
Moctober Fest sounds so fun! I love family traditions like this — spending time together around food. And the drink looks delicious — I love how warming it must be. 🙂
It is a fun tradition. I’m hoping that by the time I’m an old lady I have a calendar full of my own made-up holidays to celebrate with my kids and grandkids!
Wassail is a favorite at our house around the holidays! So delicious!
Wassail is a favorite at our house around the holidays! So delicious!