Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 20 – Wassail.
Wassail is one of those old-school holiday traditions that feels wholesome and a little feral at the same time. It’s warm, spiced cider meant to wish everyone be well, which honestly feels like a very reasonable goal for late December. This is the drink you make when the lights are low, the windows are fogged up, and you need something that smells as good as it tastes.
Historically, wassail comes from the Old English “waes hael,” meaning “be in good health.” It was both a drink and a ritual — people would gather, raise a bowl, toast one another, and sometimes go door to door sharing it. Tonight’s version leans into that communal spirit but adds a rye backbone, because we’re honouring tradition and ourselves.
Tasting notes
Apple cider is the cozy core, bringing orchard sweetness and gentle acidity. Rye whiskey adds structure and spice, while ginger, orange peel, clove, cinnamon, and star anise turn the whole thing into a kitchen-scented holiday dream. It’s warming without being heavy, spiced without being potpourri, and dangerously easy to keep refilling your mug.
Teachable moment
Keep your wassail at a gentle simmer, never a boil. Boiling cooks off the delicate aromatics and flattens the flavour, while a low, steady heat lets the spices bloom slowly and keeps everything smelling incredible. Think “steam rising, not bubbles breaking.”
If this Wassail lights your fire, check out my similar recipes:
Tune into my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern for a step-by-step tutorial, plus a short chat about communal bowls, winter spices, and why this is the kind of drink that makes people linger in the kitchen long after the party has technically moved on.
Cheers, friends!
Wassail
Wassail is the old-school holiday toast; a centuries-old English tradition of sharing warm, spiced cider from a communal bowl while wishing everyone “be well.” This rye-spiked version keeps the orchard-cozy heart of it, with ginger and citrus to brighten the cheer.
- 4 cups fresh apple cider unfiltered preferred
- 1 cup Reifel Rye
- 1 ” fresh ginger sliced
- Peel of 1 orange avoid pith
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
- Garnish: fresh cranberries
- Garnish: apple slices
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Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
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Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil) and steep for 15–20 minutes.
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Remove from heat; strain to remove solids.
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Ladle into mugs or punch cups and garnish with fresh cranberries or apple slices as desired.
