Wassail

Wassail a noun (1275 earliest known use), is Old Norse ves heill (be well) meaning to toast or give a salutation to someone wishing them health.  It also refers to a festive occasion where there is too much drinking. 

The Middle English word waes hael (good health) referred to an ancient southern English drinking ritual.  Hot mulled cider was the traditional drink for wassailing to ensure a good harvest of apples for the next year. Over the years, wassailing became most associated with the Yuletide in the tradition of singing Christmas carols going from house to house. Today the drink is somewhat equivalent to beer and wine.      

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town - A Christmas Poem in Olde English by Author Unknown

Wassail! Wassail! all over the town,

Our toast it is white, our ale it is brown,
Our bowl it is made of a maplin tree;
We be good fellows all, I drink to thee.

Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,
God send our maister a happy New Year;
A happy New Year as e'er he did see
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

Here's to our mare, and to her right eye,
God send our mistress a good Christmas pye:
A good Christmas pye as e'er I did see
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

Here's to Fill-pail (cow) and to her long tail,
God send our measter us never may fail
Of a cup of good beer, I pray you draw near,
And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.

Be here any maids? I suppose there be some,
Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone
Sing hey, O maids, come trole back the pin,
And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.

Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of the best:
I hope your soul in heaven will rest:
But, if you do bring us a bowl of the small,
Then down fall butler, bowl, and all.

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town

Here are a couple of wassail recipes, one of which is non-alcoholic.  Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/wassail-recipe/index.html

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Wassail-Punch-I/

 Happy Holidays!