Wassail Recipe

5 from 8 votes
13 Comments

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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!

A large container of dry wassail mix next to some glasses full of wassail recipe
Featured with this post
  1. Ingredients in this Wassail Recipe
  2. Dry Wassail Mix
  3. Garnishes for This Wassail Recipe
  4. Give the Gift of Wassail
  5. Frequently Asked Questions About Our Wassail Recipe
  6. More Christmas Gifts
  7. Try These Other Warm Drinks
  8. Wassail Mix Recipe

When it’s cold outside, hot chocolate and apple cider are the classics. However, if you’re in the mood for something new, try this sweet, spicy hot Wassail recipe with a fruity, cinnamon flavor. Once you try this Wassail recipe I guarantee it will be one of your new favorite holiday drinks. Our family has it every Christmas Eve! It is the perfect drink to raise a toast to your good health and happiness in the New Year!

A large container of dry wassail mix next to some glasses full of wassail


Ingredients in this Wassail Recipe

  • Dry Tang powder
  • Dry Lemonade Kool-Aid
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
Three cups of our wassail recipe

Dry Wassail Mix

Traditionally, to make Wassail, you simmer all the ingredients (like fruit juices 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, citrus-y 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, 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 slow cooker.

Garnishes for This Wassail Recipe

If you want to make this into a fancy drink for a dinner party or a cozy night in, then you can add fun garnishes! Here are some ideas:

  • Apple Slices
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Orange Slices 
  • Cranberries
  • Star Anise
  • Allspice Berries

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).

Wassail Mix Tags

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Wassail Recipe

Where does Wassail come from?

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.

What’s the difference between wassail and mulled cider?

Our Wassail recipe is citrus based and spiced cider is apple based. However, they have very similar spice profiles.

Does Wassail contain alcohol?

This Wassail recipe is family friendly but if you are wanting to add alcohol, you can add bourbon, brandy or rum.

More Christmas Gifts

Pair this delicious Wassail recipe with some of these other treats for an even more abundant Christmas gift.

  • 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 and has the perfect crunch and can be used with almonds of peanuts in the center.

Try These Other Warm Drinks

A large container of dry wassail mix next to some glasses full of wassail recipe

Wassail Mix

5 from 8 votes
This Wassail recipe makes a delicious Wassail mix to add to water for a quick hot citrus drink on cold days. You will love the orange and lemon flavors with a hint of cinnamon.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drink
Cuisine English
Servings 24

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 tsp vanilla. Mix well.
    tang powder and vanilla extract mixed together in a bowl
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until everything is evenly distributed. Store in an airtight container.
    Dry wassail mix in a glass bowl
  • To serve: Mix 2-3 heaping spoonfuls into an 8 ounce mug of hot water and stir.
    Three cups of wassail using our dry mix recipe

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, citrus-y 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.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

    1. 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.

  1. 5 stars
    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!!!!

  2. 5 stars
    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!