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Wassail

homemade wassail in a pot with a ladle and slices apples and cinnamon sticks
  • Serves:  10
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  1 hr

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice
  • 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled, sliced
  • 8 cups apple cider, (preferably unfiltered)
  • 2 cups unsweetened black tea
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, (from 2 lemons)
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice, (from 3 medium oranges)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Bourbon, Brandy, or Rum, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves, allspice and ginger into a little bundle. Alternatively, you can make the wassail with the spices directly in the pot and strain them out with a fine-mesh sieve after step 2.
  2. In a large pot set over high heat, add the apple cider, tea, brown sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, cinnamon sticks and spice bundle and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. 
  3. Discard the spice packet. Spike with bourbon, brandy or rum if desired (We suggest 1 ounce of alcohol per 6 ounces of wassail). Serve warm. 

Notes

Instant Pot Method:

  1. Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves, allspice and ginger into a little bundle. 
  2. In a (6-quart) Instant Pot, add the apple cider, tea, brown sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, cinnamon sticks and spice bundle and stir to combine.
  3. Secure the lid, close the vent valve, and cook HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. Allow the  pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes, before releasing any extra pressure manually.
  4. Discard the spice packet. Spike with bourbon, brandy or rum if desired. Serve warm. 

 

Slow-Cooker Method: 

  1. Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves, allspice and ginger into a little bundle. 
  2. In a (6-quart) slow cooker, add the apple cider, tea, brown sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, cinnamon sticks and spice bundle and stir to combine.
  3. Cook on HIGH for 2-4 hours or on LOW for 3-6 hours. 
  4. Discard the spice packet. Spike with bourbon, brandy or rum if desired. Serve warm.