Back to the Traditions Page Wassailing Wassail has been replaced by either eggnog or spiced cider today, but it used to be quite a treat. The word "wassail" comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase "waes hael" (good health). So, "wassailing" means drinking to your good health. The original drink was made out of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar. It was traditionally served from huge bowls on New Years Eve and Twelfth Night, but many wealthy people had Wassail on all 12 days of Christmas! Wassail Recipes Wassailing Legend A beautiful Saxon maiden named Rowena presented Prince Vortigen with a bowl of wine and toasted him with the words "waes hael". Over the centuries, a great deal of ceremony developed around the custom of drinking wassail. The bowl was carried into a room with a great fanfare, a song was sung, and then the hot beverage was served. The Wassail Song Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green; Here we a-wassailing 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.

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