by Martha Rhodes

Created on: January 28, 2009

Wassail punch is a great warm drink that is often served in fall or winter. "Wassail" is a reduction of the gaelic phrase' Waes Hael' which translates to "Good Health". There are also many community wassail events especially in apple producing areas, but wassail is also appropriate at weddings and other events like fairs, carnivals and other such neighborhood celebrations. Wassailing is associated with the harvest and warding away evil spirits or overcoming the forces of nature that could threaten a good crop. Wassailing celebrations pre-date Christmas celebrations. The community events are family friendly usually naming a "wassailing queen" with lots of good food and drink and often times have a medieval theme. There have been many songs dedicated to wassail. The lyrics to the songs are typically of good cheer, wishing blessings to the household. There are some links below to community wassailing celebrations.

This recipe is the healthier, non-alcoholic version and should be served in a punch bowl. It makes eighteen, one half cup servings.
2 quarts apple cider
1 quart orange juice
1-6 oz. can frozen unsweetened apple juice concentrate
3 cinnamon sticks, broken
8 whole cloves

Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered for two hours. Strain and serve hot. Each serving has approximately 100 calories per serving.

And here is a more traditional recipe for Wassail:
12 eggs
4 bottles Sherry or Madeira
2 pounds sugar
1 teaspoon powdered nutmeg
2 teaspoons ginger
6 whole cloves
1 /2 teaspoon mace
6 whole allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix the dry ingredients in a half pint of water. Add the wine and let the mixture simmer over very slow fire. Beat the egg yolks and whites separately and add these to the hot brew. Before serving, add several sliced baked apples and lace the mixture well with brandy. Makes 25 to 30 cups.

Wassail is typically served with toasted bread or popcorn.

For additional information about Wassail, check out the following article: History, Lore and Recipes for the Drink of Yule by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman at: http://newage.suite101.com/article.cfm/wassail
Articl e on Woodstock, Vermont Wassail Event: Woodstock's Wassail Celebrates Season And Community By William A. Davis at:
http://www.nafreepress.com/town_info/x466650473/W OODSTOCKS-WASSAIL-CELEBRATES-SEASON-AND-COMMUNITY

The Claude Moore Colonial Farm Website: http://www.1771.org/ev_wassail.htm
Sponsored by the New York Parks and Recreation "To All, Wassail": A Concert of 19th-Century Holiday Songs & Stories in Manhattan, New York Website: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/upcoming _events/events_search.php?c=2008-12-19&ed=2008-12-19&sd=2008-12-19&search=1&id=159132

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