Author Jennifer Fromke
Our favorite family tradition comes in a warm mug, but
starts in our hearts.
Wassail in Middle English literally means “good health.” It
is a hot English drink, usually a variation of spiced cider. Historically, town
in Southwest England would hold a celebration on Twelfth Night, where the
participants march through apply orchards, singing and drinking cider.
Throughout the night, toast dipped in wassail would be hung in the apple trees
by the Wassail Queen. The purpose of the ceremony was to awaken the apple trees
in preparation for another growing season, and by hanging the wassail dipped
toast, last year’s produce was thought to encourage the tree spirits to produce
an excellent harvest for the coming year.
Since wassailing traditionally took place on January 5th,
it’s easy to see why it is so often associated with Christmas. But our family
starts to crave the delicious concoction as soon as the weather turns cool, and
we continue to enjoy it all winter long. Sometimes I make so many batches, I
feel like the Wassail Queen herself!
Most of us have the recipe memorized, and we keep the
ingredients on hand throughout the season. Hot and sweet, this drink always
brings back happy memories of campfires in the back yard, Christmas Eve, football
games, working puzzles together, and family game nights throughout the long
winter. So when we drink a cup of wassail, we drink a cup of family
togetherness, tradition, and happy memories. It’s a cup of yum, which makes us
all feel a little bit closer to each other.
Wassail
4 cups tea (heat water in large kettle, dip tea bags until
desired darkness)
Add:
4 cups cranberry juice
4 cups apple juice
2 cups orange juice
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
Simmer on stove, serve until it’s gone. (if by some chance
you don’t drink it all, stick it in the fridge . . . it’s great cold or
reheated the next morning).
Jennifer Fromke’s debut novel, A Familiar Shore, is about a
large family with some fascinating traditions. http://amzn.to/U3Wi86
She writes from North Carolina, but hails from the much colder regions of the
Midwest, where Wassail season lasts much longer.
Thanks so much for this recipe. I've been looking for this. :) It's just what I needed to get into the Christmas spirit. Hugs to you, Mary, and the Wassail Queen!
ReplyDeleteOur family's hot beverage during the holidays has always been "Russian Tea" - with Tang, instant tea, and CountryTime lemonade - but I've been looking for a healthier alternative with less sugar. This sounds PERFECT! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou can even leave the sugar out of this one . . . my Dad does. :-) I never do. (double smiley)
DeleteTell me what you think after you try it, Angie! I'm actually running out to the store today so we can have this tonight after dinner. :-)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, thank you so much for this recipe! Most of my family will not drink any hot beverages, but I am a "Cup of Warmth" Fanatic! I am going to give this a try this holiday season. God bless you and your family as we enter this amazing season of love and faith. You are a Sweetheart for sharing. Much love! ~Karen <3
ReplyDelete