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Simple Recipes for Every Day

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 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp whole allspice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 cups apple cider (preferably unfiltered)
  • 2 cups unsweetened black tea (home steeped or store bought, decaf if desired)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 lemons juiced, about 1/4 cup
  • 1 oz fresh ginger, peeled about 2-inch piece
  • 3 fresh oranges juiced, about 1 cup
  • Bourbon, Brandy or Rum, optional

Method

To Make Wassail on the Stovetop

  1. Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves and allspice into a little bundle. Alternatively, you can make the wassail with the spices directly in the pot and strain it through a fine mesh strainer after steeping.

  2. In a large pot set over high heat, add the spice bundle, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, tea, brown sugar, lemon juice, ginger and orange juice and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

  3. Remove and discard the spice packed. Serve warm.

To Make Wassail in an Instant Pot

  1. Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves and allspice into a little bundle. Alternatively, you can make the wassail with the spices directly in the pot and strain it through a fine mesh strainer after steeping.

  2. In a large (6 quart) Instant pot or electric pressure cooker add the spice bundle, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, tea, brown sugar, lemon juice, ginger and orange juice and stir to combine.

  3. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, about 30-40 minutes total for pressurizing and releasing of pressure. Slowly release the pressure. Discard the spice packet. Serve warm.

To Make Wassail in a Slow-Cooker

  1. Using a coffee filter and cooking twine or a piece of cheesecloth, tie up the cloves and allspice into a little bundle. Alternatively, you can make the wassail with the spices directly in the pot and strain it through a fine mesh strainer after steeping.

  2. In a large (6 quart) slow cooker/crock pot, add the spice bundle, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, tea, brown sugar, lemon juice, ginger and orange juice and stir to combine.

  3. Cook on high for 1-2 hours, or on low for 2-3 hours.

  4. Discard the spice bundle. Serve warm. To keep warm in the slow cooker, switch the heat to the “warm” mode.

Note: If you'd like to offer an option for guests who'd like their wassail boozy, put out a bottle of bourbon or brandy and invite guests to spike their own wassail as they see fit. We'd suggest about 1 oz. of brandy or bourbon per 6 oz. cup of wassail.