How to Make Wassail

Are you looking for a great wassail recipe for your winter solstice of Christmas gathering? No matter how you celebrate the Yule, a traditional wassail with warm your guests and enrich your gathering. Read on to learn how to make wassail.

The origins of wassail go back over a thousand years. The first written use of the word was in Beowulf, and the first mention of wassail as a beverage was in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1135) Traditional wassail was made from warm spiced wine or ale, and, when consumed was preceded by the toast "was hail" meaning "good health."

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 3 lemon slices
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 6 cups dry red wine
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 1 cup dry sherry
• 2 lemons, sliced

1. Make a syrup by boiling the sugar, cinnamon sticks, and 3 lemon slices in ½ cup of water for 5 minutes.
2. Strain the syrup, discarding the cinnamon sticks and lemon slices.
3. Add the wine, fruit juices, and sherry and heat. Do not boil.
4. Garnish with sliced lemon, and serve.

1. Substitute dark ale or stout for the red wine.
2. Substitute apple cider for the wine and sherry, for a non-alcoholic wassail.
3. Add a piece of ginger and a whole nutmeg when boiling the syrup. Remove before serving.