The Festive Drinks That Kept Henry VIII’s Court Merry

 

Step into a warm Tudor hall, sit beside the glowing Yule log, and discover the festive drinks that kept Henry VIII’s England merry throughout the cold, dark days of winter.

I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and for today’s instalment of my Tudor Christmas Advent series, we’re exploring the wonderful world of Tudor winter warmers, from hippocras to buttered beer, from wassail bowls to honey-rich mead.

Before the feasting and celebrations, everyday Tudor life ran on ale, safer than water, weak enough to drink by the pint, and brewed constantly by the women of the household.

But Christmas?

Christmas called for something special.

In this video, discover:

- Hippocras — the spiced Tudor mulled wine Henry VIII adored

- Lambswool — the frothy wassail drink of roasted apples and warm ale

- Mead, Metheglin & Melomel — honey wines sweetened with herbs or fruit

- Christmas Ale — brewed stronger for Yuletide feasts

- Posset — a creamy, curdled Tudor comfort drink

- Buttered Beer — yes, the real Tudor drink (long before Harry Potter!)

- Mulled wine & imported sweet wines enjoyed by the wealthy

These weren’t just beverages — they were hospitality, ritual, community, and the unmistakable flavour of Tudor Christmas.

Which Tudor drink would YOU try first?

Hippocras? Buttered beer? Lambswool?

Let me know in the comments!

 

Links to my videos on some of these Tudor drinks:

Tudor Buttered Beer - https://youtu.be/0HMxpWVzrvc

Tudor Hippocras - https://youtu.be/yabiVqlV4pw

Lambswool Wassail - https://youtu.be/9GDrnPesC2Y

If you enjoy this cosy dive into Tudor festive life, please like, subscribe, and click the bell to follow along with the rest of my Christmas Advent series.