Wassail
A warm, fragrant holiday punch made with apple cider, citrus juices, and whole spices like cinnamon and cloves. This classic drink fills the house with a festive aroma and is perfect for cozy winter gatherings.
For 10 servings
3 steps. 60 minutes total.
- 1
Combine all juices
- a.Pour the apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice into a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Stir gently to combine.
- 2
Add spices and simmer gently
- a.Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, star anise, and sliced ginger directly into the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not let it come to a rolling boil. Once simmering, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, cover the pot, and let it infuse for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours for a deeper, more robust flavor.
- 3
Sweeten and serve
- a.About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the brown sugar if using. Continue to stir until it has completely dissolved. Taste the wassail and adjust sweetness if necessary. Carefully strain the wassail through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl or another pot to remove all the whole spices. Ladle the hot wassail into mugs, garnish with a fresh orange slice, and serve immediately.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best flavor, use fresh, unfiltered apple cider. Avoid using apple juice, which is often sweeter and lacks depth.
- 2A slow cooker is perfect for this recipe. Combine all ingredients (except sugar) and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- 3Never boil the wassail. Boiling can make the cider taste bitter and cause the spices to become overpowering.
- 4For easy cleanup, place all the whole spices in a piece of cheesecloth or a large tea infuser before adding them to the pot.
- 5Leftover wassail can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
- 6Feel free to customize the spices. A pinch of nutmeg or a few cardamom pods also work wonderfully.
Adapt it for your goals.
Healthy
Omit the brown sugar entirely for a naturally sweet drink, or replace it with 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup for a refined sugar-free option.
kid friendlyKid friendly
This recipe is naturally kid-friendly. To make it more festive, add a handful of fresh cranberries to the pot for color and serve with a cinnamon stick stirrer in each mug.
quickQuick
If you're short on time, you can simmer the wassail for just 25-30 minutes. The flavor won't be as deep, but it will still be aromatic and delicious.
budget friendlyBudget friendly
If whole spices are unavailable, use ground spices instead. Place 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1/4 tsp ground allspice in a tea ball.