Elderberry Wassail
Cozy Seasonal Elderberry Wassail
Wassail is a traditional spiced winter drink, once used to toast orchard trees and bring communities together.
This holiday version highlights the tart, vibrant flavor of American elderberries with a rich, deep color.
What You’ll Need
1 cup American elderberries juice (or one cup fresh/frozen)
I use elderberry juice, however, you can use fresh or frozen whole elderberries and strain them off
4 cups Apple Cider
2 cups Orange Juice
1–2 cinnamon sticks
5–6 whole cloves
Optional sweetener: honey or maple syrup
Equipment options:
Percolator: preferred method. A percolator works best to combine all the flavors while keeping the spices supersets from the juice.
Saucepan: If you don’t have a percolator, you can use a medium saucepan, you will just need to use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain out the spices and elderberries if you are using whole berries.
Instructions
Combine Juice: In a pot or percolator, combine apple cider, orange juice, and elderberry juice (or elderberries).
Add Spices: Drop in whole cinnamon sticks and cloves to the basket of the percolator or directly into the juice if using a saucepan.
Heat and Infuse:
Percolator: Let the mixture slowly percolate, which naturally infuses the spices and berries without overcooking.
Stovetop method: Simmer gently 10–15 minutes if using berries, or warm on low heat if using juice. Avoid boiling to preserve nutrients.
Strain and Sweeten:
Percolator: pour directly from the percolator into your cup!
Stovetop method: Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove berries and whole spices.
Taste, then add honey or maple syrup as desired.
Serve Warm: Pour into mugs or a punch bowl. Garnish with orange slices or a cinnamon stick for a festive touch.
Tips for Best Flavor
Use raw elderberry juice to maximize antioxidants and vitamin C.
Gentle heat preserves flavor and nutrients.
Percolators make extracting spice flavors and straining berries easy and clean.
