Wassail! A history & recipe of a very festive winter drink

Описание: Today we’re making a new recipe for an ancient winter drink - Wassail! I looked for the original recipe, and couldn’t believe how many renditions there are for this festive, hot, punch-like drink. I saw recipes calling for hard cider, beer, wine, brandy, mead, and even some nonalcoholic variations. The origins of Wassail date back to pre-christian England, when midwinter festivals were held in the orchards (it’s still celebrated like this in some places). Over time, the drink became associated with Christmas, and traditions surrounding it remain popular today (caroling came from wassailing). With a drink this old, the recipes, like its traditions, were bound to evolve - so I’ve made my own recipe to share with you today! Whether you enjoy Wassail for Christmas, the holidays in general, or plan on sharing it with your fruit trees - stay warm and be merry. Happy holidays, everyone! Waes Hael!

Get your bottles at House of Bitter Bear 👉 https://houseofbitterbear.com

Video/editing/illustrations by Azusa Inaba 🎥 🎨
Support us on Patreon:   / anderserickson  

TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
The History: 0:39
The Booze: 3:20
The Recipe: 5:12
Sips & Sign off: 7:49

THE WASSAIL RECIPE 5:12
3 cups (24 oz./ ~720 ml) unfiltered apple juice (nonalcoholic cider)
2 cups (16 oz./ ~480 ml) Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos Sherry
1 cup (8 oz./ ~240 ml) Begyle Brewing Christmas Ale (or favorite dark beer)
1/2 cup (4 oz./ ~120 ml) Laird’s Straight Apple Brandy Bottled in Bond
1/2 cup (~125 g) Demerara sugar
8 whole cloves
8 allspice berries
4 cinnamon sticks
4 cardamom pods
4 slices of fresh ginger
Dried apple slices for garnish

THE TOOLS
The induction burner: https://amzn.to/3mgewEW
Comparable induction pot with lid: https://amzn.to/3vgDxnv
My workhorse double jigger: https://amzn.to/3lmmKrK
Bar spoon: https://amzn.to/3wkkDhg
Muslin bags: https://amzn.to/3mwI5z9
Measuring cup: https://amzn.to/3HXpj2e
Serrated knife: https://amzn.to/3qg8nsB
Electric kettle: https://amzn.to/3J7dAMu

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Special thanks to our top-tier patrons:
Adam Greetis
Jacob Swain
Brandon Carey
Randy Calegari
Mike Russo
Bdxman
Alex Smith
Matt Dougherty
Michael Cooney
Sarah Duncan
Matthew Crowley
Kevin
Callum Evans
Dzomery
Lisa Worsham
Sean
Derek Patstone
Rick Turoczy
Alex Rosenberg
Kevin Wildman
Silverio
Al Gailey

Follow Me:
Instagram:   / anderserickson  
Twitter:   / anderserickson_  
Facebook:   / andersericksoncocktails  

Send stuff to:
Anders Erickson
4610 N. Clark St
Suite 1051
Chicago IL, 60640

Image attributions:
wassailing image 1: Stephen and Helen Jones from England, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Wassailing image 2: Brian Marks, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Wassailing image 3: Glyn Baker / Anointing
Wassail Image: Jeremy Tarling from London, United Kingdom