Spiced Wassail
Warm up your winter nights with a steaming mug of Spiced Wassail, a soul-soothing holiday drink brimming with seasonal flavors. This festive recipe combines tangy apple cider, bright orange and pineapple juices, and a symphony of warming spices, including cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and fresh ginger. Infused with slices of orange and lemon, this traditional wassail is simmered gently to create a cozy, aromatic beverage that’s perfect for holiday parties or quiet nights by the fire. Customize it with a splash of rum or bourbon for an adult twist, or serve it alcohol-free to delight guests of all ages. Simple to prepare and simmered to perfection in just 30 minutes, Spiced Wassail is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering a fragrant, festive way to toast 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
- 3 sticks Cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves Whole cloves
- 6 berries Whole allspice
- 2 pods Star anise
- 1 inch piece, sliced Fresh ginger
- 1 sliced Orange
- 1 sliced Lemon
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup (optional) Optional rum or bourbon
Instructions
In a large stockpot or slow cooker, pour in the apple cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, and water.
Add the brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, star anise, and sliced ginger to the pot.
Slice the orange and lemon into thin rounds and add them to the mixture.
Stir to combine, then heat the wassail over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Do not boil.
Reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20-30 minutes to allow the spices to infuse into the liquid.
Taste the wassail and adjust sweetness or spice levels as needed (you can add more brown sugar for extra sweetness).
If desired, add the rum or bourbon and stir just before serving. Do not heat the alcohol too much as it can evaporate.
Strain the wassail through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the spices and citrus slices before serving, if preferred.
Serve warm in mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick or an orange slice for a festive touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1669 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.5 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 96 mg | 4% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 275.4 g | 100% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.5 g | 38% | |
| Total Sugars | 227.8 g | ||
| Protein | 4.5 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 344 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 7.1 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 2313 mg | 49% | |
*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.
