noun
wassail
WAH-sayl/ˈwɑːseɪl/
A spiced alcoholic punch served during holiday celebrations.
We serve warm wassail in mugs at our holiday party.
Etymology
The pieces form the wish “be healthy,” originally a drinking salutation. The name then passed from the toast to the liquor used for it, especially spiced ale served at Christmas celebrations.
In context
Wassail, the drink, is similar to mulled ale or apple cider.
when the Wessex guards would be celebrating and drunk on Wassail.
More examples
- This wassail combines ale with cinnamon, cloves, and roasted apples.
- She ladles fragrant wassail into cups for the Christmas guests.
- A splash of brandy gives the wassail an extra kick.
Forms
wassail
Similar words
- punch
- A broader term for mixed drinks, including cold, nonalcoholic versions.
- mulled wine
- Specifically heated, spiced wine; wassail can use other alcoholic bases.