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Easy Slow Cooker Christmas Wassail: Perfect Holiday Drink

slow cooker christmas wassail - featured image

This slow cooker Christmas wassail is a warm, spiced, non-alcoholic holiday drink made with apple cider, orange juice, and aromatic spices. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for gatherings, and a family-friendly alternative to mulled wine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (64 oz) apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 cups (16 oz) orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 apple, sliced into rounds
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup, optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spice bag: Place the whole cloves and allspice berries in a small muslin bag or a piece of cheesecloth tied with kitchen twine. Set aside.
  2. Combine the liquids: Pour the apple cider and orange juice into the slow cooker. Add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves.
  3. Add the spices and fruit: Drop in the cinnamon sticks, the spice bag, and the ground nutmeg and ginger. Lay the orange and apple slices on top. Give everything a gentle stir.
  4. Cook on low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours.
  5. Taste and adjust: After 4 hours, taste. If you want it sweeter, stir in the honey or maple syrup. If you want more spice, add an extra cinnamon stick or a pinch of nutmeg. Let it cook for another 30 minutes after any adjustments.
  6. Serve warm: Remove the spice bag and cinnamon sticks. Ladle the wassail into mugs, making sure to include a slice of orange or apple in each cup.

Notes

For a spiked version, add 1 cup of dark rum or bourbon after cooking. For a low-sugar option, skip the brown sugar and honey. To prevent cloudiness, use whole spices instead of ground. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, Christmas wassail, holiday drink, apple cider wassail, non-alcoholic wassail, easy wassail recipe