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This wassail recipe is filled with citrus flavors and hints of cinnamon and clove. This version of the wassail recipe makes a delicious powdered mix—simply add hot water and enjoy!
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When it’s cold outside, hot chocolate and apple cider are the classics. However, if you are in the mood for something new, try this sweet, spicy hot Wassail recipe with a citrusy taste and a touch of cinnamon flavor. Once you try this Wassail recipe I guarantee it will be one of your new favorite holiday drinks.
It’s a holiday tradition for us to have on hand, and has often been the gift we give to neighbors and friends. It is also the perfect drink to raise a toast to your good health and happiness in the New Year. This is a MUST-try beverage that kids to adults love to drink!
Ingredients for the Best Wassail
Set yourself up right with this wassail recipe by gathering all your pantry staple ingredients. We like to use this drink for holidays or any gatherings. It is simple to combine and create the best drink!
- Tang powder – This is an orange powder that can be found in the drink aisle at the grocery store.
- Lemonade Kool-Aid – Use the dry powdered drink mix for this beverage recipe. Do not mix ahead of time.
- Sugar – Adds sweetness to the wassail recipe!
- Vanilla – Just a pinch of vanilla gives a rich and creamy taste.
- Cinnamon – This has a warm and sweet flavor that adds flavor.
- Cloves – Dried flower buds that have a peppery or spicy flavor.
Dry Wassail Mix
In a traditional wassail recipe, you simmer fruit juices (lemon juice, apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice) and spices in a large pot over low heat for hours and hours. For this recipe, though, we wanted to give you the ability to have a warm cup of Wassail in minutes.
The best part of this drink mix recipe is that once you make a batch, you can enjoy it for weeks! If you make the Wassail recipe as directed below, then you’ll end up with enough to make 20 or more servings of soul-warming, citrusy goodness. Once the dry mixture is made, all you have to do is add a couple of spoonfuls to a mug of hot water and it’s ready!
If you are serving a large group of people, then you can mix up multiple servings and place it all in a large saucepan on the stove on medium-low heat. You can also keep it warm in a crockpot.
How to Make Easy Wassail Recipe
Simply bring the wassail ingredients to a boil on the stovetop. Stir together and let the aroma feel your home! It is that simple and easy to make!
- Combine – In a large bowl, add ½ cup of the Tang and the two teaspoons vanilla. Mix well.
- Mix – Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until everything is evenly distributed. Store in an airtight container.
- To serve – Mix 2 to 3 heaping spoonfuls into an 8-ounce mug of hot water and stir.
Garnishes for This Wassail Recipe
If you want to make this into a fancy drink for a dinner party or a cozy night in, add a fun garnish! Try some sweet and savory ideas to add to the wassail recipe. The variations are endless!
- Fruit – Slices of oranges and apples give a citrusy fruity look and flavor. These apple slices and orange slices look pretty thinly sliced and floating on top of the wassail recipe.
- Cinnamon sticks – Always a fun tradition to add cinnamon sticks.
- Cranberries – Use fresh cranberries to give an extra special look with a pretty red coloring bobbing up and down in the wassail.
- Star anise – These are beautiful stars that are a type of fruit that is dried and turned a dark brown coloring.
- Allspice berries – These are dried, unripened berries that are a festive touch to this wassail recipe.
Give the Gift of Wassail
This Wassail recipe makes an easy neighbor gift during the holidays or a fun white stocking stuffer. It’s easy to do and everyone will love it! Just make the Wassail recipe as directed below, then spoon portions of the mix into individual airtight containers. I even have a little gift tag printable that you can use to make it super simple(click on the image below).
“I had never heard of wassail before coming across this recipe and wow am I glad I did. This drink is so tasty, we are huge fans in this house!”
-Billy
Frequently Asked Questions
Wassail is a traditional Medieval Christmas drink served by the ladle full for the English as part of a ritual to ensure a good cider apple harvest for the year. You’ve likely heard the Christmas carol, “Here we come a-wassailing…” Well, this is the drink about which they sing. Traditionally the beverage was made of hot mulled cider with curdled cream, whole cloves, ginger, nutmeg, sugar, and roasted apples.
Our Wassail recipe is citrus-based and spiced cider is apple-based. However, they have very similar spice profiles.
This Wassail recipe is family-friendly but if you want to add alcohol, you can add bourbon, brandy, or rum.
Tradionally, wassail is served warm. The aroma and comforting warmth from the wassail recipe brings you in during the colders months. If you would like to serve it cold, add ice to your wassail bowl for a punch like drink.
Storing Wassail Prefectly
This is the dry mix that will be stored in an airtight container. When ready to make the wassail recipe add hot water and stir together. To stir the wassail recipe place in an large pitcher with a lid or tupperware and store in the refrigerator for two to three days.
More Christmas Gifts
Pair this delicious Wassail recipe with some of these other treats for an even more abundant Christmas gift. We always love sharing treats this time of year and having a sweet dessert with this delicious homemade wassail recipe. The perfect combination!
- Pecan Chewies are a fun gift for the holidays, as well as birthdays, teacher presents, and more. It’s the gift of warm, fresh cookies at home.
- Muddy Buddies are a classic treat you can’t stop eating! It’s all the crunch and sweetness you have been craving, and it’s really easy to make.
- English Toffee is so easy to make has the perfect crunch and can be used with almonds or peanuts in the center.
Try These Other Warm Drinks
A warm drink in hand during the holidays gathers everyone together around the punch bowl! These drink recipes are the perfect way to “cheers” during the holidays or bring in the New Year’s. Try some of our favorite warm drinks that everyone loves!
How to Make Wassail
Wassail Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 ounces Dry Tang powder
- 2 packets Lemonade Kool-Aid dry (the kind you add sugar to)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cloves
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add ½ cup of the Tang and the 2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until everything is evenly distributed. Store in an airtight container.
- To serve: Mix 2 to 3 heaping spoonfuls into an 8-ounce mug of hot water and stir.
Notes
- If you make the Wassail recipe as directed below, you’ll end up with enough to make 20 or more servings of soul-warming, citrusy goodness.
- Once the mix is made, all you have to do is add a couple of spoonfuls to a mug of hot water and it’s ready!
- If you are serving a large group of people, you can mix up multiple servings and place it all in a large saucepan on the stove on medium-low heat. You can also keep it warm in a slow cooker.
I love this hot drink. Have made twice since December. Take part to work and keep rest at home. Thank you!
I am excited to try this however I am confused and maybe it is because I don’t know how to read between the lines. Although the ingredients are listed, the amount to put into the bowl is only listed for the Tang and Vanilla. Can you comment on how much sugar, lemonade Kool-aid, Cinimon, and ground cloves I should add in to make it yummy? Thank you!
If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you should see the recipe card with all the ingredients and amounts!
I have not made this recipe but I plan to, but my question is, do you use whole cloves or ground cloves? thank you
Ground cloves!
Love this tea drink any time.
How long is the powder mix good?
It is good for a year!
Could you use Splenda vs sugar?
We haven’t tried a sugar substitute in this recipe, so I am not sure! Let us know how it turns out if you try it.
Yummm!! Thank you so much!!!
Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We are so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Love it. Easy to make. Tasty. Excited to use as a gift
My boss got a jar it smelled so goooood! So glad I could find an easy way to make it since I am a super busy person! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful drink mix!!!!
Super easy. Good mix for cold nights or for kids with colds.
I had never heard of wassail before coming across this recipe and wow am I glad I did. This drink is so tasty, we are huge fans in this house!
Such a fun and delicious way to bring some old traditions into the holiday. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness I loved this recipe! Perfect for those cold nights! Thank you so much!