I'm sure you've all heard the song, Here We Come A Wassailing, but do you know what wassailing is?
Singing carols, right?
Yes.
Well, kinda.
Wassail (Wah-sail), first began, many eons ago as a greeting to others or as a toast. People would lift a mug of warm cider and say, "Waes hael!". Wassail (Waes hael) is an Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning, "be thou hale", modern translation: "be in good health".
Wassailing began as a celebration the west of England in the cider-producing counties. It was a celebration to waken the cider trees to ensure a good harvest in the Autumn. They would sing songs to the trees, shout, play drums, and generally just make a lot of noise to scare away evil spirits.
Wassail (Wah-sail), first began, many eons ago as a greeting to others or as a toast. People would lift a mug of warm cider and say, "Waes hael!". Wassail (Waes hael) is an Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning, "be thou hale", modern translation: "be in good health".
Wassailing began as a celebration the west of England in the cider-producing counties. It was a celebration to waken the cider trees to ensure a good harvest in the Autumn. They would sing songs to the trees, shout, play drums, and generally just make a lot of noise to scare away evil spirits.
The Wassail Queen would be lifted into the branches where she would lay cider soaked toast as an offering.
Traditional Wassail was made of Mulled Ale, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, nutmeg, curdled cream, and sugar.
Um. No and thanks.
This is an easy, modern Wassail.
As much as I love the legend, lore, and romance of Olde England, I'll pass on the eggy, curdled creamy, gonna get me drunky drink.
This will make your house smell AMAZING. AH-MAZE-ING.
*
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wassailing,
So fair to be seen:
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you,
A happy New Year,
And God send you,
A happy new year.
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wassailing,
So fair to be seen:
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you,
A happy New Year,
And God send you,
A happy new year.
*
Happiest of Christmases to you and yours! Thanks so much for reading my blog!
I wish you a holiday filled with magic and dreams come true.
I wish you a holiday filled with magic and dreams come true.
~Tina
Wassail Punch
recipe by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers
1 Cup apple cider
1 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cinnamon sticks*
4 whole cloves*
pinch of ground nutmeg
1 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cinnamon sticks*
4 whole cloves*
pinch of ground nutmeg
2 (or more) Tablespoons of brown sugar, depending on taste
Apple, orange, & lemon slices
*you can use ground cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon) & ground cloves (just a pinch). You might want to drain it through cheesecloth before serving, however, or you will have all of the spices swirling around in your drink.
Apple, orange, & lemon slices
*you can use ground cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon) & ground cloves (just a pinch). You might want to drain it through cheesecloth before serving, however, or you will have all of the spices swirling around in your drink.
Add the cider, juice, and water to a pot. Add in spices & chopped fruit.
for this size recipe, you will only need a couple slices of each. Make sure there are no seeds.
Simmer on low for 1-2 hours
The sugar content is really decided by personal taste. Some ciders & orange juices are more tart than others, requiring more sugar. Taste and decide on sugar for yourself at this point.
Remove fruit & whole spices.
Serve warm.
**you can also add alcohol, I believe it's brandy,
but you might want to look that up.
This recipe is easily doubled/tripled, etc.
This recipe is easily doubled/tripled, etc.
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