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Cozy Slow Cooker Wassail – Easy Holiday Drink Recipe

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This cozy slow cooker wassail is a set-it-and-forget-it holiday drink that fills your home with the warm aromas of apple cider, cranberry juice, and festive spices. Perfect for gatherings, it’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 2 cups cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
  • 1 cup orange juice (fresh-squeezed or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 4 star anise pods (optional)
  • 1 orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 apple, sliced into rounds (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)
  • Fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your fruit: Wash the orange and apple thoroughly. Slice them into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. If using the clove-studded orange trick, poke the cloves into one of the orange slices now. Set the fruit aside.
  2. Combine the liquids: Pour the apple cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice into your slow cooker. Give it a quick stir with a wooden spoon.
  3. Add the honey: Drizzle in the honey. If it’s thick and crystallized, warm the jar in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to help it dissolve more evenly.
  4. Add the spices: Drop in the cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and the clove-studded orange slice. Place them so they’re submerged in the liquid.
  5. Top with fruit slices: Arrange the remaining orange and apple slices on top of the liquid.
  6. Cook on low: Set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 3 to 4 hours. The liquid should be steaming hot but not boiling. If your slow cooker runs hot, check it after 2 hours.
  7. Taste and adjust: After 3 hours, give it a taste. Want it sweeter? Add another tablespoon of honey. Want more spice? Let it cook another 30 minutes.
  8. Serve warm: Ladle the wassail into mugs, making sure to include a fruit slice or two in each cup. Garnish with fresh cranberries if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t let the wassail boil; high heat makes spices turn bitter. For a party, start in the morning and let it simmer on low all day. If doubling the recipe, add an extra hour of cooking time. The wassail tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. For a clear drink, strain through a fine-mesh strainer before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, holiday drink, wassail recipe, easy wassail, Christmas drink, slow cooker drink, spiced cider, mulled cider

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/cozy-slow-cooker-wassail-easy-holiday-drink-recipe/