Holiday Wassail
Warm up your holiday gatherings with the irresistible charm of Holiday Wassail, a festive hot punch brimming with seasonal flavors. This classic recipe combines the sweetness of apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice with the aromatic spices of cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and allspice, enhanced by the zing of fresh ginger. As it gently simmers, your home will fill with the cozy, inviting scent of the holidays. Perfect for serving a crowd, this make-ahead beverage is versatile enough for everyone to enjoy—add a splash of bourbon or rum for a delightful adult twist or serve it as-is for a comforting non-alcoholic treat. Garnished with floating orange slices and cinnamon sticks, this wassail is as visually stunning as it is delicious. It's the ultimate warming drink to toast to the season!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 4 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 12 pieces whole cloves
- 2 pods star anise
- 10 berries whole allspice
- 1 inch piece (peeled and sliced) fresh ginger
- 1 medium orange (sliced into rounds)
- 1 ounce per serving optional bourbon or rum
Instructions
In a large pot or slow cooker, combine the apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
Stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves completely.
Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, whole allspice, and sliced ginger to the liquid.
Drop in the orange slices, reserving a few for garnish if desired.
Set the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. If using a slow cooker, set it to 'low'.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the wassail cook for 45-60 minutes. This allows the spices to infuse deeply into the liquid.
Stir occasionally to ensure the flavors are well-combined.
Strain the wassail into a serving bowl or ladle it directly into mugs, leaving the spices behind.
If desired, add a splash of bourbon or rum to each serving for an adult-friendly twist.
Garnish with a reserved orange slice or a cinnamon stick before serving warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1642 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.9 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.8 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 100 mg | 4% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 382.0 g | 139% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.0 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 316.3 g | ||
| Protein | 10.2 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 532 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 3788 mg | 81% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
