Wassail is the eggnog of the 17th century. Originating in southern English, the ancient cousin of the popular rum-spiked drink was often featured as a part of the Wassailing tradition, a ceremony intended to banish evil spirits and secure a bountiful apple harvest. Wassail is derived from waes hail, an old English phrase meaning “good health.” Traditional wassail recipes called for ale, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and eggs and were topped with bread to sop us the drink. Wassail was made in a special vessel made from dense oily wood designed to retain heat and keep out moisture.
