Drinks
Most likely you've heard The Wassail Song (Here We Come A-Caroling):
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wandering
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 beggars
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.
Traditionally done on Twelfth Night (January 5 or 6 by our calendars or January 17 before we switched to the Gregorian Calendar), Wassailing comes from the feudal tradition of those who had wealth passing out alms to those who lived around them for Christmas, hence the lines:
We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before
Wassail was the drink that went along with food the nobility would pass out to those who came singing to their doors and in exchange, the carolers would bless them for their charity. Sort of like a Christmas "Trick or Treat" tradition. Because if they didn't give them "treats" the carolers would then curse them. There's a lot more to this, but I'm giving you the very short version.
Anyway, it's a great Medieval custom that's continued on into many areas to this day and I love to celebrate it with my kids. The wassail bowl is traditionally filled with a spicy fruit drink that can be made with or without alcohol. The only real key ingredient, as I always tell my boys, is love.
Granny Mae Wisdom--The magic of Santa? He's the giant elf who makes all your money vanish out of your wallet.
If you want an extra treat, add peppermint whipped topping to the mugs. YUM!!
Wassail
8 Cups Apple Cider
2 Cups Orange Juice
1/2 Cup Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup Pineapple (optional)
4 Whole Cinnamon Sticks OR 2 Teaspoons of Ground Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
Orange Slices (optional for garnishing)
1/2 Cup of Brandy (optional)
1. Combine all ingredients except the orange slices into a large pot on the stove.
2. Cook on a medium heat and simmer for approximately 35-45 minutes.
3. Carefully pour into a wassail container or punch bowl.
4. Add orange slices.
5. Serve and enjoy!
Tip: I usually store any leftovers in Mason Jars and refrigerate for later.
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