Slow Cooker Wassail is the perfect holiday drink! It’s easy to make and great for the colder months. This hot cider recipe will take you from Thanksgiving through New Years’. All you need is a few common ingredients and the right combination of spices.
One of my favorites to make for our holiday family gatherings is wassail. For Christmas, I make sure to have a crockpot of this hot apple cider drink on the kitchen counter waiting for everyone to serve themselves. It’s the perfect way to warm up during the cold winter months!
What is Wassail
This drink recipe has a few different names and it depends on what part of the country you are in. We call it wassail but it’s also known as mulled cider, hot apple cider, or spiced cider.
No matter what you call it, the recipe is always fairly similar. It’s a hot cider with comforting spices that make your own house smell amazing!
What you’ll need
The ingredients are pretty simple. Some of the spices may not be as common in everyday use, but they are still pretty easy to find.
- Apple cider-you can use either apple cider or apple juice for this recipe. The spices that you add give it a great flavor, so apple juice works just as well.
- Spices-if you can’t find a particular spice, it’s ok to omit it. Also, feel free to adjust spice amounts to your preference. I suggest checking a natural grocery store for whole spices, but it’s perfectly fine to use ground spices here as well.
Stovetop instructions
- Pour the juices into a large heavy-bottomed pot such as a Dutch Oven.
- Add the spices and give it a good stir. Add the apple and orange slices.
- On the stovetop over low heat, simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Serve warm.
How to store
For leftover wassail, cool completely, and transfer to a pitcher. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon juniper berries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 thumb-size fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 apple, cored and sliced thinly
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamon
- 1 orange, sliced thinly
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, add the apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
- Add in the brown sugar, juniper berries, cinnamon sticks, and fresh ginger. Add the ground nutmeg and ground cardamon. Stir to combine.
- Add the apple and orange slices.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 4 hours or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or until completely heated through
- Let cool slightly and serve in mugs. Top with apple or orange slices.
Notes
- You can use either apple cider or apple juice for this recipe. The spices give it a great flavor, so apple juice works just as well.
- If you can’t find a particular spice, it’s ok to omit it. Also, feel free to adjust spice amounts to your preference. Check a natural grocery store for whole spices, but it’s perfectly fine to use ground spices here as well.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
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