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Perfect Slow Cooker Wassail Easy Holiday Recipe

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This slow cooker wassail is the perfect balance of fruity, spicy, and warm—and it makes your whole house smell like Christmas morning. Set it and forget it while you decorate the tree or wrap presents.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 2 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 4 whole star anise
  • 1 orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
  • 1 apple, sliced into thin rounds (optional)
  • 1/2 cup brandy or rum (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pour the apple cider, orange juice, and cranberry juice into your slow cooker. Give it a quick stir.
  2. Drizzle in the honey or maple syrup. It will dissolve as the liquid heats up.
  3. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise directly into the liquid. Optionally, tie them in cheesecloth for easy removal.
  4. Arrange the orange, lemon, and apple slices on top of the liquid. Do not stir them in.
  5. Set the slow cooker to low. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on low, or 1.5-2 hours on high.
  6. After about 2 hours, taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Add more honey or maple syrup if too tart, or extra cranberry juice if too sweet.
  7. If adding alcohol, stir in brandy or rum about 15 minutes before serving.
  8. Serve warm, ladling into mugs with a fruit slice in each if possible.

Notes

Do not use ground spices—they will make the wassail cloudy and bitter. Whole spices are essential. Taste at the two-hour mark and adjust sweetness. For parties, keep the slow cooker on ‘warm’ setting after initial cooking time. The wassail can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months (remove fruit slices before freezing).

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, slow cooker wassail, holiday drink, Christmas drink, mulled cider, spiced cider, party drink, slow cooker beverage

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/perfect-slow-cooker-wassail-easy-holiday-recipe/