Cozy Old-Fashioned Holiday Wassail
A warm, non-alcoholic wassail made with apple cider, orange juice, citrus slices, and cozy holiday spices. Perfect for Christmas gatherings, open houses, or a quiet winter evening at home.
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider preferably unfiltered, refrigerated
- 4 cups orange juice 100% juice, not from concentrate if possible
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar plus more to taste
- 2 oranges sliced into rounds, well washed
- 1 lemon sliced into rounds
- 4 cinnamon sticks 3–4 inches each
- 10-12 whole cloves some studded into orange slices
- 4 whole allspice berries optional but recommended
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated, or a pinch of ground
- 2-3 star anise pods optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- cinnamon sticks for garnish, optional
- orange slices or twists for garnish, optional
- whole cranberries for garnish, optional
- dark rum, bourbon, or brandy optional, to spike individual servings
Instructions
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the apple cider, orange juice, and water. Make sure the pot has a few inches of space at the top to prevent sloshing while it simmers.8 cups apple cider, 4 cups orange juice, 2 cups water
- Stir in the honey or brown sugar and the vanilla extract. The sweetener does not need to fully dissolve yet; it will melt as the wassail heats. Starting with 1/4 cup lets you adjust the sweetness later.1/4 cup honey or brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Slice the oranges and lemon into rounds, removing any large seeds. Stud several orange slices with whole cloves by poking them through the peel. Add all of the citrus slices to the pot.2 oranges, 1 lemon, 10-12 whole cloves
- Add the cinnamon sticks, remaining whole cloves, allspice berries, nutmeg, and star anise (if using). Stir gently. For a milder spice flavor, start with fewer cloves and allspice berries; you can add more later.4 cinnamon sticks, 10-12 whole cloves, 4 whole allspice berries, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 2-3 star anise pods
- Set the pot over medium heat and warm until the mixture just reaches a gentle simmer with small bubbles around the edges. Reduce the heat to low to avoid a hard boil, which can make the citrus bitter and the spices harsh.
- Let the wassail simmer uncovered on low heat for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it smells richly spiced and the color has deepened. If it reduces more than you like, add a splash of water or extra cider.
- Carefully taste a spoonful. If you prefer a sweeter drink, stir in additional honey or brown sugar a tablespoon at a time until it suits your taste. For a stronger spice flavor, add another cinnamon stick or a few more cloves and simmer for 10–15 minutes longer.1/4 cup honey or brown sugar, 4 cinnamon sticks, 10-12 whole cloves
- For casual serving, leave the citrus slices and spices in the pot. For a smoother party presentation, strain the wassail through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof serving pot or slow cooker, then add a few fresh orange slices and a cinnamon stick for appearance. Keep warm on the lowest setting.2 oranges, 4 cinnamon sticks
- Ladle the hot wassail into heatproof mugs. Garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick, an orange slice or twist, and a few cranberries if desired. For an alcoholic version, let adults add a splash of dark rum, bourbon, or brandy directly to their mug.cinnamon sticks, orange slices or twists, whole cranberries, dark rum, bourbon, or brandy
Notes
Servings: yields about 14–16 (8-ounce) mugs. The recipe is very forgiving: you can simmer longer on low heat, keep it warm in a slow cooker, or make it a day ahead. If using very sweet cider, start with less added sweetener and adjust at the end. For slow cooker method, combine all ingredients and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, then keep on WARM for serving. Leftovers keep well and often taste better the next day.
Nutrition
Calories: 140kcal
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