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Cozy Slow Cooker Wassail with Cinnamon Sticks

cozy slow cooker wassail - featured image
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A warm, spiced apple cider-based wassail made in the slow cooker, perfect for holiday gatherings. This accidentally delicious drink balances sweet apple cider, citrus, and whole spices for a cozy, crowd-pleasing beverage.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 2 cups orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (dark brown sugar preferred)
  • 1/4 cup honey (local honey for subtle floral undertone)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 whole nutmeg, slightly cracked (or 1 teaspoon ground)
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract added at the end)
  • Fresh orange slices, for garnish (optional)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks, for stirring (optional)
  • Fresh cranberries, for garnish (optional)
  • Star anise, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the spice bundle: Cut a 12-inch square of cheesecloth and place the whole cloves, allspice berries, and cracked nutmeg in the center. Gather the corners and tie securely with kitchen twine, leaving a long tail so you can easily fish it out later. If using a muslin bag, just toss everything in and cinch it closed.
  2. Combine the liquids: Pour the apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice into your slow cooker. Add the brown sugar and honey, then stir with your wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Don’t worry if it’s not completely smooth—the heat will take care of that.
  3. Add the aromatics: Drop in the cinnamon sticks and the split vanilla bean. Submerge the spice bundle, letting the twine tail hang over the edge of the slow cooker so you can grab it later. If using vanilla extract instead of a bean, wait until the end to add it.
  4. Slow cook on low: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Let everything simmer together for at least 3 hours. The longer it goes, the more the flavors meld and deepen. Aim for 4 hours if possible. You’ll know it’s ready when your whole kitchen smells like a winter wonderland and the liquid has taken on a beautiful amber hue.
  5. Taste and adjust: After 3 hours, carefully remove the spice bundle and vanilla bean (if used). Give the wassail a taste. If you want it sweeter, stir in another tablespoon of honey. If you want more citrus kick, add a splash more lemon juice. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now.
  6. Serve and garnish: Ladle the wassail into heatproof mugs or mason jars. Top each serving with a fresh orange slice and a cinnamon stick for stirring. For extra visual flair, drop a few fresh cranberries and a star anise into each cup.
  7. Keep warm for serving: Set your slow cooker to the ‘warm’ setting after the initial cooking time. The wassail will stay perfectly drinkable for another 3-4 hours without overcooking. Give it a gentle stir every hour or so to keep the spices evenly distributed.

Notes

Don’t skip the spice bundle—loose cloves are hard to fish out. Low and slow is best for flavor development. Taste as you go and adjust sweetness or acidity. Plan to start the wassail about 4 hours before guests arrive for optimal aroma and flavor. For a spiked version, add 1 cup of dark rum or bourbon after cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, wassail recipe, holiday drink, spiced cider, apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, slow cooker drink, warm beverage, Christmas drink

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-slow-cooker-wassail-with-cinnamon-sticks/