How to Make Wassail

Craving a taste of tradition? This easy wassail recipe blends apple cider, fresh citrus, and warm spices for a cozy, non-alcoholic sip. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a quiet night by the fire—with tips to make it an adult beverage, too!

As someone with deep German roots who lived in Germany in my 20s, I know there’s nothing quite as satisfying as sipping a warm mug of traditional wassail on a chilly fall or winter evening. This recipe captures the same flavors I enjoyed on crisp German nights, blending apple, citrus, and spices for a truly authentic experience that I’ve perfected over the years.

And wassail isn’t just for Christmas! It’s perfect for all kinds of fall and winter gatherings—Halloween, Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving, Christmas morning, New Year’s Eve, or even a cozy bonfire night. The sky’s the limit here—be creative!

What is Wassail?

Wassail is a warm holiday drink made of mulled apple cider. It’s a traditional drink served in the winter months, especially on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve, as a toast to good health. Start your own holiday traditions by adding this easy wassail recipe non alcoholic.

What does Wassail mean?

Wassail (WOSS-el) hails from an old Norse phrase “ves heill”, literally means “to be in good health”. Wassail might sound German, however; it actual dates back to an Anglo-Saxon tradition celebrated on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Years Eve and Twelfth Night (January 5th).

Merrymakers would go from house to house singing Christmas carols (called Wassailing) and the homes they visited would have Wassail bowl filled with warming punch to ladle up for the revelers. So start your easy wassail recipe and maybe even hum a few bars of Here We Come A Wassailing to get you in the mood.

Wassail Recipe Traditional Ingredients

• Fruit juices | Add orange, pineapple, and fresh lemon juice to the drink for more tart and citrusy notes complementing the sugary apple cider. Fresher juices are best, see if you can find juices not from concentrate.
• Apple cider | The base of this wassail recipe is classic hot apple cider, not to be confused with apple juice.
• Brown sugar | Use light or dark brown sugar (or a brown sugar substitute) to add a touch of rich sweetness to the recipe, added sugar optional.
• Cinnamon sticks | Cinnamon sticks lend an authentic cinnamon spice taste to the hot beverage of hot mulled cider.
• Spices | Spice up the recipe by adding in some ground nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. I recommend using freshly ground nutmeg for the best flavor. Additionally, you can either use whole or ground cloves and allspice, depending on your preference.
• Star anise | This unique ingredient is optional. It can be challenging to locate at your local grocery store, but most should sell them during the holiday months. Try it in my Chai Tea!
• Fresh fruit | Bring a fruity flavor to the wassail by adding in fresh apple slices and orange slices, and a handful of cranberries. Not all the fresh fruits are necessary. However, I suggest using them all in this warm drink for the fullest flavor.

How to Make Wassail

Step 1 | Mixing the Juice Base

The first step of this easy wassail recipe is to decide how you’d like to make it—either choose the stovetop method, the slow cooker method (or the instant pot).

Begin by combining the cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and brown sugar in a large pot, 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker or 6 qt or larger Instant Pot. Then, stir to mix the ingredients well.

Step 2 | Spice it Up

Next, place the nutmeg, cloves, allspice, star anise, and cinnamon sticks in a piece of cheesecloth, tie them up, and drop them into the pot or slow cooker. If you don’t have cheese cloth to work with, toss the spices directly into the pot. The cheesecloth is not necessary, but it’s the perfect way to make the cleanup easier.

Step 3 | Add Fresh Fruit and Heat

Then, slice up the apple and orange and add them to the mixture. Now it is time to get that wassail all warm and toasty. You will absolutely love the fragrance coming from your kitchen when simmering this delightful beverage.

Step 4: Simmer and Serve

Cover bring the steeping beverage to a simmer over medium-low heat. Next, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Then, ladle the mulled cider into mugs and serve garnished with a cinnamon stick and a slice of fresh apple and orange.

Instant Pot Hot Mulled Cider

Super easy! Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot, seal vent and set manual mode for 10 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining steam. Serve piping hot for your holiday party!

Wassail Recipe Variations

• Swap Out the Juices | Switch the pineapple, lemon, or orange juice for your favorite juice, like cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, apricot nectar, or even lemonade for the perfect holiday drink.
• What alcohol goes in wassail? Try adding up to 2 cups hard cider and/or ½ cup of brandy to make it an adult alcoholic wassail. However, whiskey, rum and bourbon are also delicious.
• Make it Pretty | Press whole cloves into a whole apple and/or orange and place in pot while simmering or in crockpot. Use about 15-25 cloves to stud your apple or orange. This method will fill the entire house with winter warm scents!
• Make it Pink | Some American recipes for Wassail add 2-3 ounces of red hot candies, giving the beverage of hot mulled cider a pretty pink hue.
• Caramel Apple Wassail | Caramel and apples just go together, try a little spoonful or drizzle of your favorite caramel sauce.

Make This Easy Wassail Recipe in the Crockpot

After adding all the ingredients to the crockpot, stir well then heat as follows:

1. Set the slow cooker on LOW for 4-6 hour or
2. Place the crockpot on HIGH 3-4 hours
3. Or preheat the wassail on the stovetop, then transfer to crockpot on low to warm.
4. Set up a wassail station with a ladle, cinnamon sticks, orange and apple slices and maybe even some sugared cranberries on cocktail picks.
5. Alcoholic Choice | Provide a mini measuring cup and a bottle of your favorite alcoholic mix-in so that teetotaler’s and kids can still enjoy this delicious easy wassail recipe non-alocholic.

Wassail Recipe Traditional Serving Suggestions

Garnish the beverage of hot mulled cider with a cinnamon stick for stirring. Or try rimming the glass with a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon.

To rim; run a slice of lemon around the rim of the glass, then spread a cinnamon sugar mixture onto a shallow bowl or plate and dip the rims in the sugar. You might also enjoy this Christmas Margarita!

If the pot or slow cooker of mulled cider will be on display, you’ll want to make it delectably presentable! Float wedges of apple or slices of orange in a punch bowl topped with star anise to serve.

Create Your Own Wassail “Bar”

Take your wassail to the next level by setting up a self-serve “bar” at your next gathering! Transfer the wassail to a slow cooker set to warm, add a ladle, and let guests get sipping. They can customize their cups with fun add-ins, whether they want a boozy kick or a kid-friendly twist.

• Optional Adult Add-Ins:
  • For a richer, more robust wassail, add up to 1 cup of dark ale or red wine directly to the pot.
  • For a stronger punch, mix in ½ cup of rum or brandy.
  • Want to keep the base non-alcoholic? Let guests add a splash of alcohol to their individual mugs instead!
• Non-Alcoholic Flavor Boosts:
  • Add up to 2 cups of pomegranate or cranberry juice for a fruity finish.
  • A drizzle of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness.
• Kid-Friendly Garnishes:
  • Whipped cream topped with cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • Cinnamon sticks or whole star anise for stirring.
  • Orange slices studded with cloves for extra flavor.

This wassail bar will be a hit, offering warm, festive options for adults, kids, and all your holiday guests!

Storing Wassail

Refrigerate Leftovers | If you have leftovers from this cider wassail recipe, you can store the cooled wassail in the refrigerator in an airtight container (<< I like this one with a spout for pouring) up to 5 days.

I prefer warm apple cider, but this can also be served chilled, you could even add a splash of club soda or ginger beer, like in this Apple Cider Cocktail.

Reheat the cozy drink in a saucepan over medium-low heat, in a microwave safe mug or in the slow cooker until the desired temperature is reached.

Can I freeze the wassail? Yes, it may also be frozen for a longer storage time. Make sure it’s cooled completely, store in baggies or jars and leave about an inch of head space to allow for expansion during freezing. When you’re ready to heat it back up, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.

I hope you loved this easy Wassail recipe non-alcoholic — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!