Recipes for Winter: Wassail Recipe and Song

Wassail!  (Wassail" is an olde English word for a toast similar to "Good Health" while the wassail refers to the drink  ( spiced or mulled wine or ale) you are toasting with. 


Enjoy your holiday with a warm drink among family and friends! 

Wassail*

1 gallon apple cider

1 quart cranberry juice (not cocktail)

1 tsp whole cloves (substitute nutmeg other spices you enjoy)

1 cup brown sugar

3 sticks cinnamon

1 orange, sliced in thin slices

  • DIRECTIONS Mix all items in crockpot or large sauce pan. Simmer to keep warm
  • *mix in  a Madeira or red wine 




The Wassail Song!
The Wassail Song, unlike Christmas Carols, does not celebrate the nativity. The Wassail Song celebrates the New Year! The tradition of going wassailing dates back to 12th century England and the lyricist and composer are listed as unknown. 

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

We are not daily beggers
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Good master and good mistress,
As you sit beside the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year

We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a cheese,
And of your Christmas loaf.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.


© Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keene/Keene Valley which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities.

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