Good Morning! Ambassador of Fall here, checking in for Monday. This is it–the week with the actual first day of fall for those of you who like to follow the rules. As you know, I’ve been rolling out the red carpet for fall a little early to give it a proper welcome, of course. In doing so, I’m happy to report we found pumpkins at Trader Joe’s last week, and we simmered our second batch of wassail for the season over the weekend.
What’s this wassail you speak of, you ask? If you’re not familiar with wassail, basically it’s a hot mulled cider. My mom used to make it, and I associate it with all things fall and cozy. Traditionally, drinking wassail was an important part of “wassailing” in parts of England years ago–a Yuletide ceremony that involved singing and drinking and was believed to help bring a good cider apple harvest the following year. The word wassail actually comes from the Anglo-saxon phrase “waes hael” which means “good health.” This scene in Little Women summarizes all the wassail feels…deliciously cozy. And yes, sometimes when I make wassail, I reenact that scene.
Traditional wassail recipes have evolved over the years, and there are a number of different ways to make and serve it today. Years ago, wassail was made from mulled ale, curdled cream, eggs, roasted apples and winter spices, and was served from large pewter wassail bowls. Today, it usually involves hot apple cider, citrus of some sort, sugar and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice), and sometimes bourbon or whiskey is added.
I’ve used the same basic recipe over the years (although recently I’ve cut the brown sugar completely out of it because sugar is the dragon, and I am the dragon slayer). My kids finally like wassail too now, and I love that we only drink it in the fall and winter, so they’ll have all those cozy end-of-year memories with it.
Fall Wassail
3 cups apple cider
Juice from 1 orange (or 3/4 cup of orange juice)
Lots of Orange Zest (I love lots of pieces of citrus peel in my wassail, especially once it cooks down)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
Optional: 1 tbsp. brown sugar, dash ginger, dash nutmeg, bourbon or whiskey
Float/Garnish: 2-3 cinnamon sticks, orange or apple slices, dried apple rings
Pour all that fall goodness into a pot, bring it to a boil, and then let it simmer for a while. Your kitchen will smell like the essence of Autumn.
Make it once, and you’ve already passed Wassail 101 and are ready for Advanced Studies Wassail which involves ditching the measuring and pouring a little of this and shaking a little of that into a pot. You can’t go wrong with variations of the ingredients–it will turn out delicious every time.
Best served with a big wooden ladle.
And how cute are these little pottery cups, perfect little sipping size for the kids. These are The Toddler Cup from East Fork Pottery. Everything they make is beautiful.
Garnish cup with a little apple ring.
I make a pot of wassail with our Halloween chili every year and pour a big travel mug to take trick-or-treating
You know what goes good with wassail? The 2018 Fall Playlist. I curated a big list of songs I’d have looping 24/7 if I were, say, trapped in a cabin in the mountains sipping wassail while I sat in a window nook, watching the leaves fall. You can also play it right from this post. Go ahead, give it a try…while your wassail is simmering.
Connie says
Hi Kelle…are you familiar with Agave sweetener? I use an organic Blue Agave sweetener in place of white or brown sugar. This sounds so good, can’t wait to make it. ????
Jessica says
You make the best playlists!!!!!! I follow all of them!!
Mercy says
I live in Naples, FL too. It’s in the 90’s, as you MUST know, so in my mind, it is still summer. I have lived in Florida my entire life, and to me, fall does not start until it starts to cool down – so mid to late October. Just reading about this has given me a hot flash. That said, I admire your enthusiasm.
Sara says
Nella’s Pinky in the last photo! Dying! ???? Thank you for sharing!
celeste says
Oh man, wassail! I first had wassail at a work event – it was made by running apple juice over RED HOTS in a (clean) coffee maker. I’m not going to lie, it was pretty good! Yours sounds better.
Krystal says
Love these little treasures so much!
Michelle says
Can’t wait for fall. Here in Michigan right now you would think we were the ones in Florida, 90 degrees today, but I’m hoping that my second favorite season (yup, I’m that Michigan winter girl), will hurry up and get here. Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to make with my kids.
pamela says
Thank you for always being a step ahead with your stories and posts for the upcoming season/holiday. This is wonderful in allowing time to find items mentioned and utilize the inspiration. We seems to have captured not only a Mama peeking at your feed here, but also two inquisitive children loving checking in too!
Miranda says
Came on yesterday looking for a fall playlist from you- and behold a brand new one!!! I’ve recreated it in apple music 🙂 Amazing thank you! 🙂
Deepa says
This looks yummy and different too. Perfect for the fall season. I am sure my daughter is going to love this.