Wassail is an old English winter punch of warmed ale, apple and citrus, spiced with cinnamon and cloves, traditionally ladled from a bowl and passed around during Christmas caroling.
It’s built more like mulled wine than a cocktail, everything goes into a pot together and simmers gently so the spices and fruit have time to infuse into the ale and cider.
It’s meant to be made in batches and served warm from a punch bowl, which makes it one of the easier beer-based drinks to scale up for a party without any extra math.
| Style | Mulled ale and cider punch |
| Base beer | 2 quarts brown ale |
| Serve | Warm, from a punch bowl |
| Serves | 6 |
How to Make It
Wassail
Ingredients
- 2 quarts brown ale or another malty amber ale
- 1 quart apple cider
- 1 orange sliced into rounds, plus extra for garnish
- 1 apple sliced into rounds
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 0.25 cup brown sugar or to taste
Instructions
- Combine the ale, cider, orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks and cloves in a large pot.
- Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, do not let it boil.
- Stir in the brown sugar and let the mixture simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes so the spices infuse.
- Ladle into a punch bowl or directly into mugs, making sure everyone gets a bit of orange and apple.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra orange slices and a cinnamon stick.
Want more beer picks for the summer? Check our summer ale homebrewing recipe guides.
Gear That Helps
Making a batch for a crowd? A beverage dispenser from our shop keeps a pre-mixed pitcher cold and ready to pour.
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FAQ
What kind of ale works best for Wassail?
A malty brown ale or amber ale holds up well against the spices and fruit. A very hoppy or light beer will get lost in the mix.
Can I make Wassail without alcohol?
Yes, swap the ale for extra apple cider and it becomes a non-alcoholic mulled cider that still hits the same warm, spiced notes.
How long does Wassail keep?
It’s best served the day it’s made, but leftovers can be reheated gently on the stove the next day without losing much flavor.
More beer cocktails: see the full Beer Cocktails guide for every recipe in this collection.
