Classic Non-Alcoholic
Wassail Punch
Caroler's cider punch
The family-friendly descendant of the Anglo-Saxon Wassail — hot spiced apple cider sweetened with honey and orange, warmed with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. 'Waes hael' means 'good health.' Traditionally offered to Victorian carolers at doorsteps; historically the full Wassail was alcoholic.
Ingredients
- 6 oz Apple Cider
- 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
- 1/2 oz Honey Syrup
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 3 Cloves
- pinch Nutmeg
Method
In a saucepan, combine apple cider, orange juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and honey syrup. Heat gently (do not boil) for 10 minutes. Strain into mugs. Leave a cinnamon stick in each for garnish. Scales linearly for a punch bowl.
Sourced from Modern family-friendly descendant of the Anglo-Saxon Wassail tradition (pre-Christian Britain). The alcoholic original keeps the 'Wassail' name by historical claim; this non-alcoholic version is labeled 'Wassail Punch' to disambiguate. Canonical in European Christmas market culture and Victorian caroling tradition.