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Easy Homemade Wassail with Orange and Cinnamon

homemade wassail - featured image
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This easy homemade wassail with orange and cinnamon is a warm, comforting holiday drink that fills your home with an incredible aroma. Made with simple ingredients like apple cider, fresh orange juice, and warm spices, it’s perfect for parties and cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (unfiltered, such as Martinelli’s or local orchard brand)
  • 2 cups fresh orange juice (about 4–5 large oranges)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 large orange, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1/4 cup honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
  • Optional garnishes: fresh cranberries, additional orange slices, star anise, or rosemary sprigs

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spices: Place the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and allspice berries in a piece of cheesecloth or a spice bag. Tie securely with kitchen twine.
  2. Slice the citrus: Wash the orange and lemon thoroughly. Slice them into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Remove any visible seeds.
  3. Combine the base ingredients: Pour the apple cider and fresh orange juice into a large pot. Add the brown sugar and stir until it begins to dissolve.
  4. Add the aromatics: Drop in the spice bag and the sliced orange and lemon rounds. Give everything a gentle stir.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (small bubbles around the edges, not a rolling boil).
  6. Simmer and infuse: Reduce the heat to low. Let it gently simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  7. Taste and adjust: After 20 minutes, remove the spice bag and taste the wassail. If too tart, stir in honey 1 tablespoon at a time until balanced. If too sweet, add a splash more apple cider or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  8. Strain (optional): For a clear wassail, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or heatproof pitcher. Otherwise, leave the fruit slices in.
  9. Serve warm: Ladle the wassail into heatproof mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh orange slice, cranberries, or star anise. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh orange juice and unfiltered apple cider. Make a spice sachet to avoid biting into whole cloves. The wassail can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days; flavors deepen overnight. For parties, keep warm in a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting. For an adult version, add a splash of dark rum, bourbon, or brandy to each mug.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, holiday drink, apple cider, orange, cinnamon, warm beverage, Christmas drink, party drink

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/easy-homemade-wassail-with-orange-and-cinnamon/