Print

Homemade Slow Cooker Wassail with Cinnamon Sticks

slow cooker wassail - featured image
Print Recipe

This homemade slow cooker wassail with cinnamon sticks is a warm, spiced comfort drink that fills your house with holiday aromas. It’s simple to make, using pantry ingredients, and perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
  • 2 cups orange juice (fresh squeezed or store-bought)
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
  • 4 cinnamon sticks (whole)
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1 orange (sliced into thin rounds)
  • 1 lemon (sliced into thin rounds)
  • 1 apple (cored and sliced into thin wedges)
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger (peeled and sliced into thin coins)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spice bundle: Place the whole cloves and allspice berries in the center of a piece of cheesecloth. Gather the edges and tie securely with kitchen twine.
  2. Layer the fruit: Place the sliced orange rounds, lemon rounds, and apple wedges in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  3. Add the liquids: Pour in the apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice, ensuring the fruit is covered. Add more apple cider if needed.
  4. Add the sweetener: Drizzle in the honey or maple syrup. Do not stir yet.
  5. Add the aromatics: Drop in the cinnamon sticks and sliced fresh ginger. Place the spice bundle on top, pushing it down slightly to submerge.
  6. Cook on low: Cover the slow cooker and set to low. Cook for 3 to 4 hours.
  7. Taste and adjust: After 3 hours, taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. Add more honey or let it cook longer if needed.
  8. Remove the spice bundle: Before serving, remove the cheesecloth bundle with a slotted spoon and discard. The cinnamon sticks can remain.
  9. Serve warm: Ladle the wassail into mugs, including a few fruit slices in each cup.

Notes

Don’t use ground spices; they make the drink cloudy and gritty. Whole spices steep gently and leave a clear drink. For an adult version, add a splash of brandy or dark rum to each mug before pouring. This wassail tastes even better the next day; make it ahead and reheat. To freeze, leave out fruit slices and add fresh fruit when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, cinnamon sticks, holiday drink, spiced cider, warm beverage, Christmas drink, apple cider punch

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/homemade-slow-cooker-wassail-with-cinnamon-sticks/