Description
This slow cooker wassail is a warm, spiced apple cider with citrus and whole spices, perfect for holiday gatherings. It’s naturally sweetened, easy to make, and fills your home with an incredible aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (about 2–3 oranges)
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 large orange (for studding with cloves)
- 20–25 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 4–5 star anise pods
- 1 inch fresh ginger (sliced into coins)
- Apple slices (for garnish, optional)
- Orange slices (for garnish, optional)
- Extra cinnamon sticks (for garnish, optional)
- Fresh cranberries (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prep the studded orange: Wash the orange and poke 20-25 small holes in the peel using a paring knife or toothpick. Push a whole clove into each hole.
- Combine the liquids: Pour apple cider, fresh orange juice, and fresh lemon juice into a 6-8 quart slow cooker. Add maple syrup or honey if using. Stir to combine.
- Add the whole spices: Drop in the clove-studded orange, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, black peppercorns, star anise pods, and fresh ginger slices. Do not stir vigorously.
- Slow cook on low: Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust: After 2 hours, taste and add more maple syrup or honey for sweetness, or more orange juice for citrus punch if desired.
- Serve warm: Ladle into mugs, avoiding whole spices or using a fine mesh strainer. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, apple slices, orange slices, or fresh cranberries if desired.
Notes
Don’t skip studding the cloves into the orange to avoid biting into whole cloves. Use whole spices instead of ground to keep the drink clear and avoid bitterness. For stovetop, simmer on low for 30-45 minutes. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 120140
- Sugar: 2428
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 3035
Keywords: wassail, slow cooker, apple cider, spiced cider, holiday drink, mulled cider, warm beverage