Wassail refers both to the salute Waes Hail (literally "be you healthy") and to the drink of wassail, a hot mulled cider drunk as part of wassailing, an English ritual intended to ensure a good apple harvest the following year. Historically, the drink is a mulled cider, mulled beer, or mead, made with sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and topped with toast. A group then sings: "Old Apple tree, old apple tree, we've come to wassail thee, To bear and to bow apples enow, Hats full, caps full, three bushel bags full, Barn floors full and a little heap under the stairs."

Drink enough and you may end up singing, too.

This warming blend of cinnamon, ginger & nutmeg is just the ticket to ward away winter's chill. Add to apple cider or ale and simmer for 1 to 2 hours. May also be served chilled. A unique yet traditional gift for the holidays.

Origin

Charleston, South Carolina

Ingredients

3 Muslin Spice Bags with Drawstrings, Cinnamon Sticks, Cut Ginger, Ground Nutmeg

Size/Weight

3 oz wassail spice makes 3 gallons

Serving/Care

For a Gallon Brew: Fill a pot with 1 gallon of fresh apple cider, or ale, or mead. Fill spice bag with 1/3 cup of wassail spices. Add spices and ½ cup sugar, and simmer at low heat for 1-2 hours. Serve hot or chilled.