Wassail! A history & recipe of a very festive winter drink

[@AndersErickson]

How do you pronounce this drink? And what do you put in it? Waes Hael, everyone! Check out my bottle collection at Curiada! 👉 bit.ly/holidayhomebar

[@jebujex]

Never heard about this one! Awesome to learn new drinks :) Thank you as always!

[@joshyinger]

I believe the Old English (Ænglisc) æsc ‘ash’ vowel ligature is pronounced thus. Like ‘cat’ and ‘attic’. Wæs hæil!

[@timcooke9933]

We sang a Carol when I was a kid that pronounced it wa-SAIL, but there’s a more popular Carol that goes “Here we come a-WA-silling…” So, I suppose there’s no single correct answer. Great recipe. I’m not usually a fan of warm beer cocktails, but I’ll give it a try. The recipe from my youth had some orange juice and garnished with clove-studded oranges. I wish I could remember the recipe.

[@AndersErickson]

@@joshyinger thanks, Josh - this helps a lot!

[@nellynelson965]

hWaaa-Sail. English museum did a piece on this years ago on TV and its somewhere on their KZbin.

[@gfmack13]

"If it's cloudy and brown, you're in cider town. If it's clear and yella, you've got juice there fella."

[@liamblood5239]

Now there's two exceptions, and it gets kinda tricky here.....

[@ChemistryTalkwithDan]

At my previous school the front office staff would make wassail (non-alcoholic of course) during the last week of the semester before the Christmas break. I'm not much of an apple juice guy, but I would always look forward to enjoying the wassail every morning that week. I did manage to get their recipe before I left, and their secret ingredient was cinnamon red hots. So good!

[@AndersErickson]

That's brilliant! What a great memory. Cheers and happy holidays!

[@justfornothing]

I was so excited to see the notification for this because we make wassail every year in my family (from my grandma's English side I guess) and I've never met someone who knew what it was. We pronounce it wassle. We make a non-alcoholic version and our recipe (adapted to modern times) is as follows: - 1 jug unfiltered apple juice / cider - 1 jug cranberry juice - 1 orange cut in half and juiced into the pot, then the orange halves tossed in - 1-2 big cinnamon sticks - 1 tsp allspice berries - 10 whole cloves We simmer with spices in a crockpot, then take the spices out once it gets hot (at least a half hour probably).

[@AndersErickson]

This looks like a tasty recipe! Thanks for sharing!

[@andrewtevans1976]

There is always wassailing here in Herefordshire, UK every year. Great nights and always welcome.

[@meganlombardi3882]

This is fantasic. Id love to see more batch cocktail episodes, especially because its really hard to find good recipies for "punch" bowls for larger gatherings. I love making cocktails, but when hosting more people it can really take you out of the festivities. Id like to have a few more great batch recipies on hand for those types of celebrations.

[@kevinshaw3138]

Hi Anders. - I love this - I’ve made it twice now. It’s great for hosting or attending winter gathering. Your proportions are great for 8 people or so. I like it a bit more boozy. I kept the 4 oz of apple brandy - then added 1 oz cognac and 1 oz gosling rum. It worked for me.

[@meaghanspencer8351]

Anders! There is a thriving community of traditional Wassailers in Kentucky! Specifically, I know of people who Wassail in Berea. It’s such a wonderful experience!

[@petemuellner1231]

Merry Christmas to my absolute favorite bartender (and production assistant) on KZbin.

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas to you too, Pete!

[@ThomasMauger]

I used to make wassail (or really just super spiced cider with rum) for a college band party I ran called Oktubafest. The popularity of the party grew immensely in my years at the helm, and because lots of kids don't like beer, we had had a year where we went through 27 gallons of cider and 12 handles of rum. I had some of the gallons leak in the trunk of my car and despite cleaning it, it smelled of spiced cider to the day I sold it. I like to think of the many relationships and fond memories made and shared around cups of my wassail.

[@AndersErickson]

Love the story - thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[@eldroubie]

Counties in Britain that grow apples for cider still traditionally have wassailing events once a year, like Somerset and Gloucestershire also on the Channel island Jersey where they also grow a lot of apples. People drink and sing carols, then pour last years cider round the apple trees for a good harvest the following year - as you mentioned.

[@waitwaitw8]

Love this! I'm a huge word nerd, so the etymology piece was a hit for me. Cheers!

[@CoachVinoLLC]

Merry Christmas Anders, to you and Az! Cheers! 😉🤙🏽🎄

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas, Vino! Cheers!

[@malindacaygle9282]

Merry Christmas to you both! Thanks for another year of sips, tips & recipes!

[@brianmoore3294]

Merry Christmas Anders and Az! I don't comment much but have enjoyed your weekly adventures into the cocktail world for some time now. Looking forward to tips and tricks in 2023.

[@thatnickwalker]

our choir preformed a wassail song every year in high school and i forgot the ingredients so thank you for this!

[@oa3114]

Always love these old Christmas drinks they are Soo full of flavours and warmth 🎉Merry Christmas y’all

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas!

[@lindaa3567]

My Grandma DD used to make the non alcoholic version every Christmas Eve... Absolutely Yummy!!!

[@ernestcervantes696]

Are you planning a Gluhwein/Muled Wine video in the near future? How about a Fuerzangenbowle?? That would be awesome!

[@jonblain3270]

This does still happen in the cider orchards of Somerset (and as far as I know Devon, but I've never been to a Devonshire wassail). They're an entertaining evening if nothing else!

[@thedivinemrm5832]

Hello from England! I've been a-wassailing a couple of times. Lots of fun, from what I remember....! Happy holidays to you both!

[@AndersErickson]

Happy holidays to you too! I think I need to go a-wassailing - sounds like a good time!

[@tommy-thunk]

Anders, I’m from Somerset (Cider county) in South West England (close to the Welsh border so we’ll let you off). You should definitely stay in Bristol or Bath and travel in to the depths of Somerset next year! There’s a Cider farm called Rich’s Cider Farm that celebrate it very well!

[@Ken-gi7pm]

Anders give us the recipe for being that much energetic and happy. Best regards from a fellow european bartender. Love your work.

[@wiscowhiskeyreview]

Fantastic video, Anders. Being from (and still living in) Southern WI, there's a ton of German and Norweigan influences here- both of which are in my heritage. I loved hearing the historical significance because it really adds to the experience. I'm definitely making this for my family on Christmas. Cheers to you and yours. Happy holidays :) -Jeff R.

[@cbizkit707]

Best wassail I've ever had!

[@patriciadean1649]

Also like the addition of Az❤

[@chrisschabert8021]

Merry Christmas to you and Az. As a fellow Chicagoan, enjoy the sub artic “normal” temps this weekend. Appreciate all the great drink recipes, they’ve come in great handy for parties

[@moonprincess1992]

those mugs are gorgeous!!

[@davebabcock1432]

Anders, you and Az given more knowledge and inspiration than you know. Yesterday at this time never heard of Wassail. Today, I’m trying to defy Mother Nature to assemble the ingredients to make a bowl!! You guys are the best! Have a very merry Christmas!!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Dave! Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@mackymacpherson]

So early it's criminal here! Great vid as always.

[@MrHandro13]

The history on this one was amazing!!!

[@carsondooman7626]

Was waiting for the new episode this week. So glad its finally here!

[@brownmasao]

So it's similar to punch (Punsch in German)! Great, really wanna try it

[@v.a.pankov]

This beverage looks tasty

[@cmcfarland7990]

I am from South Wales but never been wassailing but we have some fantastic Christmas traditions- like Mari Lwyd which you should definitely check out - love the channel and was a below 60k sub - great work 👍

[@Lasciatemi_Guidare]

Mari lwyd is the most unhinged and amazing tradition! Makes me proud to have Welsh ancestry.

[@Danny-qi4lp]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for all the great videos.

[@ThroughTheMixingGlass]

We used to make Wassail all the time for Christmas, but I had no idea there was so much history behind. Really interesting stuff, 'ders!

[@javiervigil2511]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays guys, thanks for the content this year, I look forward to it👍

[@EricAAnderson]

I appreciate this channel. Love a good wassail, and can’t wait to try your recipe!!!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Eric! Happy Holidays!

[@MrWhangdoodles]

Happy Holidays Anders! I'll definitely need to try this, though not with the family tomorrow, 'cause we're a dry family...ironic I know. But, I'll definitely make this at a cozy New Year's Eve celebration, so thank you! I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas!

[@zsuzsannapheil4950]

I love the history behind this drink! Great work! Merry Christmas!

[@sharkopec9966]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ❤❤❤

[@barleyarrish]

Happy Christmas Anders and Oz, and now Wassail and wassail all over the town, The cup it is white and the ale it is brown. The cup it is made of the good ashen tree And so is the malt of the best barley. Chorus (after each verse): For it's your wassail and it's our wassail And it's joy be to you and a jolly wassail Oh master and missus, are you all within? Pray open the door and let us come in. O master and missus a-sitting by the fire, Pray think on us poor travellers, a-travelling in the mire. Oh where is the maid with the silver-headed pin To open the door and let us come in? Oh master and missus, it is our desire A good loaf and cheese and a toast by the fire. There was an old man and he had an old cow And how for to keep her he didn't know how. He built up a barn for to keep his cow warm And a drop or two of cider will do us no harm. The girt dog of Langport he burnt his long tail And this is the night we go singing wassail. O master and missus now we must be gone, God bless all in this house until we do come again.

[@AndersErickson]

Love it! Thank you so much, and Happy Christmas to you too!

[@madmommy]

Can you make part of this ahead of time? We’re traveling for New Year’s and I’d like to bring a batch, but we have a 6 hour drive.

[@LedaSBotelho]

This looks so yummy! I'm not hosting a Christmas party, BUT, this looks yummy enough to make for myself. Maybe put this in on a Crock-Pot for myself to enjoy. Loving the recipe and the recipe changes. The herbs look very warming and all together delicious. Anders, you're a genius!❤️❤️ Merry Christmas and happy New years to you both.

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too, Leda! I think you should definitely make a batch of this for yourself. I think you’ll love it!

[@infoscholar5221]

I made this, but I didn't have any of the hipster ingredients, so I just used Jim Beam, at room temp. Worked out fine. Would make again!

[@robinwolf7809]

Dragon's Head orchard on Vashon Island Washington does a Wassail on lunar new year. Just had it yesterday.

[@AlonzoTheArmless]

What a fun and informative video this was! Merry Christmas to you two too!

[@spencerteal7975]

Pro tip: toast the spices (except the ginger) for a few minutes in the dry pan before adding them to the spice bag.

[@Star1320Light]

Would you toast cardamom before or after opening the pod and do you open the pod?

[@Dkliptus]

Will try next Christmas!

[@craigi3]

Merry Christmas Andres from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, consider this your open invite for any hogmanay 🥳🍾

[@AndersErickson]

Yes! Thanks, Craig. Cheers and happy holidays!

[@surfsidezawaz]

I'd invite you both to one if I had a place to keep you. There's a few villages near where I live that do them, though I don't think I'll be at one this year

[@blackpanther2819]

Awesome recipe! Looks like a belly warmer for these cold days. I don't think it's just me, but I'm always excited to see Az in the video trying your drinks. I hope all is well and Merry Christmas to you and yours. :)

[@kathyheater3977]

Another great video! Merry Christmas!!

[@mattbear7992]

Hey Anders! I spy 3 great Japanese whiskies on display, you should do a few cocktails with them! Maybe an elevated highball? Something more than just whiskey & soda water

[@vintagetinrandykehler4824]

Merry Christmas!!

[@lisamelroy2855]

That looks perfect for a cold night like tonight. Merry Christmas, Anders and Az!! ❤️🎄

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas, Lisa!

[@lisamelroy2855]

@Anders Erickson Thanks! I got a new bar set for Christmas - can't wait to start using it!

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Az likes her baking spices 🙂

[@renplastina4808]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@MrMoney331]

Merry Christmas to you guys!

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas, Chris!

[@jschoenack]

TO THE BAR! 🥃

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

I bet toast would be a great addition

[@patriciadean1649]

A charming couple

[@nopantsjones]

A LOT of pagan traditions were absorbed by Christmas as the church was actively trying to overshadow pagan stuff with Christian stuff. I love love love wassail (I’ve always pronounced it “wah-sull” as that’s how it sounds to me from the “Here We Come A-Wassailing” Christmas carol) & my go-to non-al recent years recipe has been the one from OhSoDelicioso: • 1 gallon apple juice or apple cider (US def) • ½ cup brown sugar • ½ cup orange juice concentrate (frozen kind works great) • 1 orange, sliced • 2 teaspoons whole cloves • 2 teaspoons whole allspice • 3 sticks cinnamon • 2 whole nutmeg I’ve since gone on to add 2-3 whole star anise pods & I’ll wrap the spices in cheese cloth so they don’t float around & make it hard to serve from the slow cooker/stovetop cooking pot. Once everything’s mixed & simmered a bit it’s easy to add brandy, whiskey, or vodka to individual servings. This year I might even try butterscotch schnapps or calvados. Thanks for getting the gears turning with this video!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Ryan! Love it. Thanks for sharing your recipe - looks great!

[@YorkyOne]

'The Christmas absorbed a LOT of pagan traditions'. Examples being?

[@UnclePete]

Sounds super cozy! I hope you two have a great holiday!

[@AndersErickson]

Happy holidays to you to, Uncle Pete! Thanks!

[@David-mg8zu]

Awesome video Anders. Merry Christmas to you bro 🎉 A mead version of this sounds very exciting.

[@AndersErickson]

I agree - going to need some good mead. Cheers David! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@johnbloomberg83]

Mead! Yes, please!

[@bobthornton1109]

I’m a cider and mead maker from Devon, England. Mulled mead is amazing! We go wassailing every January!

[@jessicaallison8981]

b Nektar makes a blackberry mead with cloves & orange zest that would be great in this, it’s called Black Fang. I’m trying the recipe as-is for Christmas this year, but will definitely be keeping the mead in mind.

[@latanyam.267]

Ooooh, another hot one!! 🍞🥂

[@arthurbrina111]

Merry Christmas, Anders & Oz.

[@AndersErickson]

Merry Christmas to you too, Arthur!

[@phosphorescent_3474]

my family made (non-alcoholic) wassail when i was a kid. they'd use about four gallons of apple cider, two or three sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and a probably not very historically accurate can of pineapple juice. of course this makes a lot so it can be scaled down. if you were lucky, you got a glass served up with one of the cinnamon sticks in it. i haven't had it since i was a kid, so i can't speak to how this tastes, but my parents would enjoy a splash of rum or whiskey as well. can't imagine it being a bad addition, though. (and we pronounced it wass-ALE)

[@achillespaparsenos5649]

Guys, that was a classic!

[@masdumas]

Looks amazing! Happy holidays to you both!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Marc! Happy holidays to you too!

[@theelk801]

hell yeah so glad I had the ingredient list from patreon so I could bring them with me

[@AndersErickson]

Nice! Cheers, Evan - hope you love the recipe!

[@theelk801]

@@AndersErickson bro this is so good

[@tonitoni9059]

I ward off evil spirits by saying "COME ! I AM ONE OF YOU! TAKE ME WITH YOU"

[@stephengamer]

Hi Anders, Love your videos, they have inspired me to create my own tequila based cocktail. Would love to share the recipe but not sure the best way to send it to you. Cheers.

[@jebujex]

Happy Christmas time to everyone ❤️ or festival you celebrate 😊

[@stuartwhite5416]

Happy Christmas Anders, keep up the great content! 👍🏼

[@AndersErickson]

Happy Christmas to you, Stuart! Thanks!

[@Khaikhaianurannaghor]

Lovely 😋😋😋

[@tc47440]

Drunken shenanigans will ensue after a couple cups of this brew!

[@HouseFullaFrogs]

Don't forget, in addition to singing when going from door to door, the wassailing revelers would engage in a little light "recipient initiated charity" Which is to say, the "oh bring us some figgy pudding" and "we won't go until we get some" are a very polite, thinly veiled demand

[@AndersErickson]

Great point

[@danielgalil5020]

Great video, Happy holidays to you and yours Anders.

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Daniel! Happy holidays to you as well!

[@fever28]

I am loving the holiday themed drinks, Anders! Might I offer a friendly suggestion for next year (now that the season has passed)? This Christmas, I read Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and at Fezziwig's party they drink Negus. I googled a basic recipe for it, and it's quite good, but I'd love to get your take on it.

[@AndersErickson]

Excellent call! Cheers and happy new year!

[@Nicky68Y]

INTERESTING!! My Mom, from Germany, seemed to indicate to us that this was more a German thing (shocker). Her recipe was too easy; Cranberry juice cocktail, Pineapple juice, Cloves, Cinnamon sticks, Brown sugar, sliced oranges and put into a coffee percolator for hours (Liquids in bottom, solids on top). Pretty much it and no alcohol (what good is that!!??) AND she pronounces it Wassel (Wa Sell). I believe some Scandinavian countries have Glogg which is more wine based.

[@lunarbloom3587]

😎 Looking forward to trying your version! I think tho you’re supposed to say wassail instead of cheers 🍻 Merry Christmas 🎄✨

[@BrandonCerelius]

Have only heard of it before - but mulled apple cider is a holiday staple in Massachusetts, wonder if mulled cider evolved out of wassail or the other way around.

[@timoncellobar]

Hi Anders! I love your channel and I’ve been watching your video’s for quite some years now. Your energy is unmatched and your recipes have been very helpful. I am a student and a bartender from the Netherlands and I just started my own channel by making my first cocktail video. I know it’s far from perfect, but I would really like your two cents on it, if you got time to watch it. (The video is in my main language, Dutch, since I thought the English market would be to saturated to start. But hopefully you’d still be able to give me any feedback presentation-wise). P.S.: the description is both in Dutch and English

[@dr.doshay4170]

"What's in the bowl, Anders?!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@amandamosser1854]

If I were having a Christmas party, I would most certainly want you and your awesome girlfriend to attend. Thanks for the drinks, wisdom, and overall happiness. May I ask for one more kick-ass drink for NYE??

[@michaeldanch3923]

Hey Anders! How come you never made a proper episode on a Martini. Would love to get some insight from you, like which gin you prefer and why. Greetings from Germany and I wish you a Happy New Year

[@chrisgunn408]

Merry Christmas!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Chris! Merry Christmas!

[@meadowonmars]

Happy Holidays Anders and Az! ✨

[@AndersErickson]

Happy Holidays, Ashley!

[@andrewkarn6963]

Drinking History with Max Miller also did a video on this. When two of your fave KZbinrs make a video on something, you should probably take the hint.

[@AndersErickson]

Now that man knows his history. Cheers, Andrew! Hope you enjoy this one!

[@andrewkarn6963]

@@AndersErickson Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you Anders. Thanks for taking me and all of your other followers on this cocktail journey. It has been a lot of fun learning about different cocktails and the history behind them. I now have some new favourites thanks to you! All the best to you in 2023.

[@AndersErickson]

@@andrewkarn6963 I'm happy you're here! All the best to you in 2023 as well!

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Here we go a wasailling a wasailling along

[@kbro7997]

❤❤❤❤

[@Dcrocker13]

Do you think the added sugar is necessary?

[@Tom67X]

Fascinating history- accuracy is irrelevant! 😁 Would really like to try this though...

[@werb24]

Could you use a tart hard cider instead of the beer?

[@AndersErickson]

Definitely could!

[@joschateichmann1065]

I havent tried it yet, but 4 whole cinnamon sticks and 8 cloves seems VERY excessive for two cups... Try toasting your spices in a dry pan until fragrant and then grinding a little bit and you'll need maybe 1/4th the amount

[@jnsmith111]

Modern word could be viewed is Hale. Means, to be strong and healthy.

[@notright7]

This drink almost sounds like a hot toddy drink. I wonder if that is where that drink comes from to.

[@307mtb]

Who remembers this old Christmas special about wassail? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqmof4B6gqudpKM&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE