Simple Recipes for Every Day
Wassail

- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves, allspice and ginger into a little bundle.
- 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.
- 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.
- Discard the spice packet. Spike with bourbon, brandy or rum if desired. Serve warm.
Slow-Cooker Method:
- Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves, allspice and ginger into a little bundle.
- 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.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-4 hours or on LOW for 3-6 hours.
- Discard the spice packet. Spike with bourbon, brandy or rum if desired. Serve warm.