Description
The term “wassail” derives from the Old English salute, “waes hael” signifying, “good health.” Wassailing encompasses a tradition rooted in medieval England characterized by communal celebrations during the holiday season: singing, toasting to well-being, and drinking warm, spiced wine or cider. Wine wassail was reminiscent of ancient Roman recipes and typically enjoyed by the wealthy, given the challenges in importing essential ingredients such as wine, fruit, sugar, and exotic spices like ginger, cinnamon, and allspice. As English settlers established themselves in colonial America, they carried forth the wassail custom, though they often favored a cider base due to its greater accessibility.
This is an Old English spice blend containing orange peel, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
