Wassail Recipe (Hot Apple Cider Drink)
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Our Wassail recipe is a tasty drink made with apple cider, fruit juice, and mulling spices. Make this hot cider recipe in the crockpot or on the stove!
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Our friend Allen brought Wassail to our Christmas party a few years ago
and we have been hooked ever since.
I played with the recipe a little, but either way it is amazing and a beloved new tradition in our house. Everyone always asks for the recipe, so you know it’s good.
What is wassail?
Originally, the term was used as a greeting shared by neighbors and carolers, or as part of a toast made with a mug of cider at winter gatherings.
Over time, the term became more associated with the drink itself rather than for the wish of good cheer.
There isn’t much difference between wassail and hot mulled cider. Both are made with a sweet apple cider and infused with warm spices.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Apple Cider – It’s important to use cider and not juice because it has a richer and more complex flavor. I like to use Musselman’s but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Brown Sugar – Replace with 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup if you prefer.
- Pineapple Juice – This has a nice balance of tart and sweet, but cranberry juice is another popular choice.
- Cinnamon Sticks – Ground cinnamon has a tendency to float on the surface, so sticks are best for simmering. However, about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon can be used if needed.
- Whole Cloves – Use 1 teaspoon of ground cloves if whole ones aren’t available.
Making the Easy Wassail Recipe
Add everything to a stockpot on the stove and simmer for an hour or two until warm and fragrant. If you want a less fussy version you can skip the fruit.
Then, scoop out the fruit and whole spices with a slotted spoon or drain the liquid through a sieve. It is SO simple!
I like to store it in jugs in the fridge and warm up a cup at a time in the microwave. For a party I like to keep it hot in an airpot.
Crockpot Apple Cider Instructions
Simply combine everything in your slow cooker and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
Because of the amount this makes, you will need to split the ingredients between two crock pots, or reduce the recipe so it fits into one.
What You Will Need For This Hot Cider Recipe
- Use one large Slow Cooker or two smaller 4-quart ones. For the stovetop, you’ll just need a Large Pot
- Citrus Juicer – This gets every last drop out, which makes juicing lemons so much easier.
- Sieve – Great for straining liquid or sifting dry ingredients to prevent clumps. You can even use it to dust powdered sugar over desserts! Or, scoop solids out with a slotted spoon instead.
- Funnel – We keep apple cider jugs to store our wassail in, so this is a must! It makes transferring liquids to separate containers quick and easy.
- Airpot – With pump action pouring, it is a party must have. It is perfect for keeping hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold. And makes serving so easy!
FAQ – Common Recipe Questions
How long does crockpot apple cider last in the refrigerator?
The drink will stay fresh for 7-10 if you keep it in a sealed container. To combine any sediment that may settle at the bottom, be sure to give it a good stir or shake first.
Can I add alcohol to this wassail recipe?
Absolutely! Bourbon, brandy, and dark rum are the most popular choices, but flavored liqueurs or sweet red wine would also taste great!
Either add it in addition to the other ingredients or substitute it for some of the cider instead. Or, add a shot of your preferred alcohol to the bottom of a mug before pouring in the mulled cider.
What other spices can I use?
Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite blend, but use whole spices for better flavor. You could even add a piece of fresh ginger when simmering as well!
- Allspice
- Nutmeg
- Star anise
- White peppercorns
- Cardamom
Enjoy!
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Wassail
Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple cider, I use Musselman’s
- 4 cups no pulp orange juice
- 46 ounces 100% pineapple juice
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 12 whole cloves
- 10 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 granny smith apple, washed, cored and quartered
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, washed, cored and quartered
- 1 navel orange, (washed, cored and quartered)
Instructions
- Combine liquid ingredients in a large stock pot. Stir in brown sugar, whole cloves and cinnamon sticks.
- Top with cut fruit, keeping the rinds and peels facing up towards the surface of the liquid.
- Heat on medium until boiling, and then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 1-2 hours.
- Remove fruit, cinnamon sticks and cloves. You can strain the wassail through a sieve if you prefer.
- Ladle into heat-safe mugs, top with garnish and enjoy.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
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This is so yummy! Great to warm you up on a cold day!