Fruity Spiced Holiday Wassail (refined sugar free!) (2024)

This wassail recipe is one the best holiday drinks, kind of like a hot citrus-infused apple cider. Filled with seasonal fruits and mulled spices, this hot wassail is a sure favorite year after year.

Even better, it’s sugar free and non-alcoholic, so everyone can enjoy!

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 our wassail, too.
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And send you a Happy New Year!

This Christmas song is one of my favorites, as is the lovely drink it promotes.

What is wassail?

Researching the meaning of “a-Wassailing” reveals a very interesting history. When I searched for an image of wassail, an image of a bird popped up (a wassail is a bird, I guess?). Makes sense, because caroling and birds go hand in hand.

Then I read that wassailing means to sing and carol. I also read that it specifically refers to drinking this traditional beverage… which is often alcoholic (our family doesn’t drink so I prefer the non-alcoholic version).

Whatever wassailing means, it has a very nice ring to it. My mom (or MaMaw, as she is called by the grandkids) makes this homemade wassail recipe traditionally every year. This recipe is warm, comforting, and tastes like Christmas in a cup!

This hot holiday beverage is even better than cider and might just give our family’s homemade eggnog a run for its money. With lots of lemon and orange, it showcases the bounty of citrus fruits available in the winter. It’s also filled with warming spices like cinnamon and clove, which makes it the perfect cozy drink for a night watching Christmas movies.

I can just picture Charles Dickens enjoying a cup by the fire, pen in hand, can’t you?

Another plus: this traditional wassail makes

your whole house smell like Christmas – no candles or potpourri needed.

Homemade Wassail Ingredients

The apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice naturally provides the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness without any refined sugar. What a relief from all the sugar-laden holiday treats, and the spices provide additional anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world. It helps control blood sugar and reduce inflammation (source).
• Cloves help to soothe the gut and contain antioxidants (source).
• Ginger is one of the best substances to improve digestion, and is also great to ward off colds and flu (source).
• Nutmeg is rich in minerals and even has brain-protective properties (source).

How to Make Homemade Wassail

Just throw the ingredients for this wassail recipe together in a big pot or teapot and let it simmer on the stove for 1-3 hours. The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavors meld together. Just let it simmer in the background, filling your home with yummy Christmas scents, while you enjoy your holiday celebration.

Can I Make Wassail in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot?

Yes, you can easily adapt this wassail recipe to the crock pot or Instant Pot!

Crock Pot Method:

Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir. Cover with a lid and cook on high for 1-3 hours.

Instant Pot Method:

Combine all ingredients to the Instant Pot, stir, and lock lid in place. Cook on Manual, high pressure for 15 minutes. Use a natural or quick release and open the lid once the pin drops down. Serve.

This wassail is the *perfect* healthy alternative to hot cocoa or coffee. No caffeine or sugar to worry about, and it tastes just as good!

More Healthy Hot Drinks to Try:

• Festive Cranberry Wassail
• Elderberry Tea
• Turmeric Tea Golden Milk

If you enjoy this recipe, please leave a star rating and comment! I love hearing your experiences.

Yield: 5 cups

Fruity Spiced Holiday Wassail (stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This wassail recipe is one the best holiday drinks, kind of like a hot citrus-infused apple cider. Filled with seasonal fruits and mulled spices, this hot wassail is a sure favorite year after year.

Ingredients

• 1 quart apple cider (or apple juice)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 6wholecloves
• 2stickscinnamon
• 1 inch freshly grated ginger, or 1pinchground ginger
• 1pinchground nutmeg
• Sliced apples or citrus fruits, for simmering (optional)

Instructions

Stovetop Method:

Add all ingredients to a pot or slow cooker and heat gently. Simmer for 1-3 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Crock Pot Method:

Add all ingredients slow cooker and cook on high for 1-3 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Instant Pot Method:

Combine all ingredients to the Instant Pot, stir, and lock lid in place. Cook on Manual, high pressure for 15 minutes. Use a natural or quick release and open the lid once the pin drops down. Serve.

Notes

Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheated.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

7

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 112Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 1g

For a festive twist on this classic wassail recipe, check out our Cranberry Wassail!

Please leave a recipe rating in the comments so more wassail fans can find it! Have you ever tried wassail?

With Joy,