Wassail!

Wassail--what is it? Wikipedia describes it as a hot spicy drink popular in northern Europe. My mother, an Englishwoman, did not make it although I remember her talking about going "wassailing" as a girl in England. Wassailing

Wassailing is not making the punch--it's the practice of going door to door, singing carols and songs in hopes of (or, in some cases, demanding) food and drink. Homeowners would make the punch to give to the wassailers. Similar to caroling, but with a goal in mind! For a complete guide to wassail customs, songs, toasts, and recipes, see Conrad Bladey's book, Do the Wassail.

So, in case carolers or wassailers come to your door this holiday season, I'm including a recipe for wassail. It's very similar to hot spiced cider that we drink around Halloween.

Here is one of many wassail songs. I found the lyrics and tune online, but the site is no longer available. If you want to hear the tune, call me! I like this particular song because it speaks so well to the tradition of wassailing.

CAN WASSAIL

Now Yuletime is comen

And New Year begin

Pray open your doors

And let us come in.

Chorus
With our wassail, wassail,

Wassail, wassail,

And joy come with our jolly wassail.

O Master and Mistress

Sitting down by the fire

While we poor wassail boys

Are traveling the mire.
Chorus
This ancient house

We will kindly salute

It is an old custom

You need not dispute.
Chorus

We are here in this place,

Orderly we stand

We're the jolly wassail boys

With a bowl in our hands.
Chorus

We hope that your apple trees

Will prosper and bear

And bring forth good cider

When we come next year.
Chorus

We hope that your barley

Will prosper and grow

That you may have plenty

And some to bestow.

Chorus

Good Mistress and Master

How can you forbear

Come fill up our bowl

With cider or beer.
Chorus

Good Mistress and Master

Sitting down at your ease

Put your hands in your pockets

And give what you please.

Chorus

I wish you a blessing

And a long time to live

Since you've been so free

And willing to give.
Chorus

This is the version (with chorus) recorded by Pete Kennedy as can Wassel or Wassail Song. #87, p. 214 in Folksongs of Britain and Ireland., Peter Kennedy et. al. eds.,Oak,London,1984. This song has a tune similar to that for Wassails, collected by Cecil Sharp.

You many not want to go out a-wassailing, but you can still make the punch to enjoy over the holidays.

Here's what you need to make Wassail:

1 gallon apple cider

2/3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons whole allspice

2 teaspoons whole cloves

2 three inch cinnamon sticks

2 oranges, studded with cloves (shades of the pomander!)

Directions:

Heat all ingredients except the clove oranges in a large pan to boiling; then reduce heat to simmer.

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes; strain.

Pour into a small punch bowl or large pitcher and add oranges. Serve hot.

I expect some folks added spirits to the mix, but this one is safe for the whole family. There are many recipes for wassail, but I like this one for its simplicity.