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Cozy Wassail Spiced Cider – Best Homemade Orange Clove Drink

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This homemade wassail spiced cider is a warm, aromatic drink made with apple cider, orange juice, and a blend of whole spices. It’s simple to make, perfect for gatherings, and fills your home with the cozy scent of the holidays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (64 oz) apple cider, preferably unfiltered
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice, fresh
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons (25 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves (about 15 cloves)
  • 3 large cinnamon sticks
  • 2 whole star anise pods
  • 3 thin slices fresh ginger (about 1 inch total)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated whole nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (about 6 berries)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds (for garnish)
  • Handful fresh cranberries (for garnish)
  • Apple slices (optional, for garnish)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
  • 1–2 tablespoons rum or brandy per serving (optional, for adult version)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon orange blossom water (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Wash oranges and lemons thoroughly. Slice one orange into thin rounds for garnish. Juice the remaining oranges and lemon to get 1 cup orange juice and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. If using fresh ginger, slice it into thin rounds (no need to peel unless the skin looks gnarly).
  2. Combine the base: Pour the apple cider into a large pot. Add the freshly squeezed orange juice and lemon juice. Drop in the honey and brown sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar starts to dissolve.
  3. Add the whole spices: Drop in the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger slices, allspice berries, and freshly grated nutmeg. (Optionally, bundle spices in a spice bag or cheesecloth for easy removal.)
  4. Simmer gently: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle simmer (small bubbles breaking the surface, not a rolling boil). Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Check the flavor: At the 15-minute mark, taste the wassail. Adjust sweetness with more honey or spice by simmering longer. If too strong, add a splash more cider.
  6. Add the garnish: In the last 5 minutes of simmering, drop in a few fresh orange slices and a handful of cranberries. If adding vanilla extract or orange blossom water, stir it in now.
  7. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl or serving pitcher. Carefully pour the wassail through the strainer to catch all whole spices. Discard solids. Optionally, reserve a few orange slices and cinnamon sticks to add back to the strained liquid.
  8. Ladle into mugs and enjoy: Pour the warm wassail into mugs. Garnish each with a fresh orange slice, a cinnamon stick for stirring, and a few cranberries. If adding rum or brandy, stir into individual servings.

Notes

Use whole spices instead of ground to avoid cloudiness and bitterness. Simmer gently, do not boil. Taste and adjust sweetness/spice at 15 minutes. For parties, keep warm in a slow cooker on ‘warm’ setting. Wassail tastes even better the next day; refrigerate and reheat gently. When freezing, leave headspace for expansion.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, spiced cider, orange clove drink, homemade, holiday drink, fall beverage, slow cooker, vegan option

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cozy-wassail-spiced-cider-best-homemade-orange-clove-drink/