This wassail bourbon cocktail is warm, spiced, and boozy just the thing I like to sip on when the weather cools down. I love how the bourbon adds a smooth kick to the classic holiday flavors.
Wassail Bourbon Cocktail
This winter bourbon cocktail is a favorite of mine that I love to whip up for tailgating, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wassail recipe combines orange, apple, and lemon juices that are slow-cooked with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice until they develop rich flavors. It’s a great balance of citrus brightness and warming spice, topped off with a smooth shot of bourbon.
You can serve this drink over ice for a refreshing twist or warm it up for those chilly nights. Whether you’re celebrating with friends or just enjoying a cozy evening at home, this cocktail brings a little seasonal cheer to any gathering.
Why I Love This Recipe
- The combination of citrus and bourbon hits all the right notes.
- It’s easy to make in large batches, making it perfect for gatherings and festive celebrations.
- The wassail portion can be made ahead and stored.
Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients for this winter bourbon cocktail with wassail. Each one adds something special to the drink.
- Bourbon: Choose a bourbon with notes of vanilla, oak and caramel to enhance the wassail recipe.
- Orange Bitters: Adds a subtle citrusy zing.
- Raw Sugar and Maple Syrup (for the rim): Raw sugar provides a crunchy texture, while maple syrup adds sweetness and depth to the rim.
Wassail Ingredients
- Orange Juice, apple juice and lemon juice: These are base juices for wassail.
- Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice: This combination adds to the warmth and depth of the fruit juices.
Garnishes
- Apple and Orange Slices: Bring color and additional fruity flavors to the cocktail.
- Star Anise Pods: Adds a decorative touch.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Great for stirring, they reinforce the warm spices and aroma.
How To Make A Wassail Bourbon Cocktail
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Start by making the wassail:
- Step One: Start by mixing together the orange juice, apple juice, and lemon juice in a large pot. I love how these flavors come together right from the start!
- Step Two: Next, grab a spice packet (or use cheesecloth or a coffee filter) and fill it with ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. After sealing it up, pop the spice packet into the pot.
- Step Three: Now, let it all cook over low heat for 1-2 hours. I enjoy how the juice infuses with the spices and darkens in color—it smells incredible!
- Step Four: You can serve this wassail hot as a non-alcoholic option. I like to garnish each glass with anise stars, cinnamon sticks, and orange or apple slices for a festive touch.
- Step Five: If you’re using it for a cold cocktail, just let it cool completely first. I find that chilling it in the refrigerator for several hours makes it even better!
Making the bourbon cocktail:
- Step One: Place the raw sugar on a small plate. I like to use just enough to coat the rim nicely.
- Step Two: Brush a little maple syrup on the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip the rim into the sugar. This adds a sweet touch that I really enjoy.
- Step Three: In a cocktail shaker, add the wassail, bourbon, bitters, and several ice cubes. Shake for about 10-15 seconds until everything is well combined.
- Step Four: Strain the mixture into your sugar-rimmed glass filled with ice. I love how the colors come together!
- Step Five: Garnish with anise stars, cinnamon sticks, and orange or apple slices if you’d like. It looks so inviting!
- Step Six: This drink can also be served hot! Just combine the warm wassail, bourbon, and bitters in a mug. Stir and serve—it’s perfect for chilly days!
Recipe Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best version of this recipe.
- Spice packets can be bought online or easily made using a coffee filter and a small rubber band. It’s a great way to customize the spice blend.
- The wassail recipe makes enough for a full bowl of punch (14-20 servings depending on cup size). You can reduce the quantity if you want to make a smaller batch of cocktails.
- If you have leftover wassail, freeze it for future use. Pour it into ice trays to freeze and pop out cubes as needed. Or make this base ahead and use it as wanted all season.
- This cocktail can also be enjoyed warm. Heat the wassail with bourbon and bitters in a mug for a cozy drink.
- Feel free to get creative with garnishes. Fresh herbs like mint or a splash of cranberry juice can add a unique twist.
More Seasonal Cocktail Recipes
Check out more of my fall and winter cocktail recipes that capture the flavors of the season.
- pumpkin spice Moscow mule
- pumpkin pie martini
- mulled cider
- cranberry-spiced martini
- New Year’s Eve countdown cocktail
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Wassail Bourbon Cocktail
This wassail bourbon cocktail is warm, spiced, and boozy—just the thing to sip on when the weather cools down. The bourbon adds a smooth kick to the classic holiday flavors.
Servings: 14
Calories: 125kcal
Equipment
- spice packets or cheesecloth or coffee filter
Ingredients
Wassail:
- 1 (52 oz.) carton orange juice without pulp
- 1 (64 oz.) container apple juice
- 1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsps. ground cinnamon
- 12 whole cloves or 1 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp. whole allspice or 1 tsp. ground allspice
- cinnamon sticks optional garnish
- star anise optional garnish
- apple slices optional garnish
- orange slices optional garnish
Wassail Bourbon Cocktail:
- raw sugar
- maple syrup
- 3 oz. wassail
- 1.5 oz. bourbon
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- apple slice garnish
- cinnamon stick
Instructions
Wassail:
- In a large pot, mix the orange juice, apple juice, and lemon juice together.1 (52 oz.) carton orange juice, 1 (64 oz.) container apple juice, 1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
- In a spice packet (or use cheesecloth or a coffee filter), place the ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Secure the top and place the spice packet in the pot.2 tsps. ground cinnamon, 12 whole cloves, 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, 1 tsp. whole allspice
- Cook over low heat for 1-2 hours, or until the juice is infused with the spices and darkened in color.
- This wassail can be served as is for a non-alcoholic version. Garnish each glass with anise stars, cinnamon sticks, and orange or apple slices, if desired. This is also the base for the bourbon cocktailcinnamon sticks, star anise, apple slices, orange slices
- This can be served hot. If using it in the cold cocktail, allow the wassail to cool completely first. It's best if chilled in the refrigerator for several hours.
Bourbon Cocktail:
- Place the raw sugar on a small plate. Brush a little maple syrup on the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip the rim into the sugar.raw sugar, maple syrup
- In a cocktail shaker, add the wassail, bourbon, bitters, and several ice cubes. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well combined.3 oz. wassail, 1.5 oz. bourbon, 4 dashes orange bitters
- Strain into your sugar-rimmed glass filled with ice and garnish with anise stars, cinnamon sticks, and orange or apple slices, if desired.apple slice, cinnamon stick
- This drink can also be served hot! Just combine the warm wassail, bourbon, and bitters in a mug. Stir and serve.
Notes
For optimal outcomes when making this wassail bourbon cocktail, I recommend referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.
The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Wassail Bourbon Cocktail
Amount Per Serving (129 g)
Calories 125
% Daily Value*
Sodium 4mg0%
Potassium 16mg0%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Sugar 9g10%
Vitamin A 6IU0%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 11mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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