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The short answer: Here's an easy wassail recipe. In a large pot, combine 8 cups apple cider, 2 cups orange juice, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice, 1 sliced orange and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Bring it just to a simmer, keep it gentle for 30 minutes, strain out the spices and serve it hot.
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It makes about 10 mugs and is alcohol-free.
Fall and winter drinks are one of my favorite parts of the season, and wassail is the one that makes the whole house smell like Christmas. It's cheap to make for a crowd, kids can drink it, and it holds well in a slow cooker. Below is the recipe, a slow cooker method, a party chart and a simple adult option.
Easy wassail recipe
Makes about 10 cups. Prep 10 minutes, cook 30 minutes.
| Ingredient | Amount | Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Apple cider (pasteurized) | 8 cups (1/2 gallon) | Apple juice plus a squeeze of lemon |
| Orange juice | 2 cups | Fresh or store-bought |
| Pineapple juice | 1/2 cup | Cranberry juice |
| Cinnamon sticks | 3 | 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
| Whole cloves | 1 teaspoon | 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves |
| Whole allspice | 1/2 teaspoon | 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice |
| Fresh ginger | 3 thin slices | 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger |
| Orange | 1, sliced into rounds | Clementines |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoons | Honey or maple syrup |
- Pour the cider, orange juice and pineapple juice into a large pot.
- Add the cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger. A tea infuser or cheesecloth bundle makes straining easy.
- Stir in the brown sugar and add the orange slices.
- Bring it just to a simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat. Don't let it boil hard, or the citrus can turn bitter.
- Simmer gently for 30 minutes so the spices bloom.
- Taste. Add another tablespoon of sugar if it's tart, or a splash of cider if it's too sweet.
- Strain out the whole spices and serve hot with a fresh orange slice or cinnamon stick.
Slow cooker wassail
Add everything to a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then switch to warm. Set a ladle and mugs next to it and let guests serve themselves. For a party, start it 2 hours before the doorbell rings.
What is wassail?
Wassail is a hot spiced drink tied to old English Christmas and New Year traditions. The name comes from a toast wishing people good health, and wassailing came to mean caroling door to door with a warm drink. Older versions used ale, wine or hard cider with roasted apples. Today, most American recipes are a spiced mix of apple cider and citrus juice.
| Drink | Base | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Wassail | Apple cider with orange and pineapple juice | Bright, spiced, punch-like |
| Mulled cider | Apple cider | Mellow apple and spice |
| Mulled wine | Red wine with orange | Rich, adults only |
| Hot toddy | Whiskey, hot water, honey and lemon | Strong, single serving |
Wassail for a crowd
| Guests | Apple cider | Orange juice | Pineapple juice | Cinnamon sticks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1/2 gallon | 2 cups | 1/2 cup | 3 |
| 12 | 1 gallon | 4 cups | 1 cup | 5 |
| 20 | 1 1/2 gallons | 6 cups | 1 1/2 cups | 8 |
| 30 | 2 gallons | 8 cups | 2 cups | 10 |
Two quick tips. Buy pasteurized cider, since the FDA's juice safety guidance warns that untreated juice and cider can carry harmful bacteria, especially for kids, older adults and pregnant guests. And strain the spices before storing leftovers so the drink doesn't turn bitter overnight.
Adult wassail option
Keep the main pot alcohol-free so kids and non-drinkers can enjoy it, and set a bottle of spiced rum, brandy or bourbon to the side. A 1 1/2-ounce pour of 80-proof liquor is one standard drink, according to the CDC's standard drink sizes. Add it to the mug, not the pot, so the alcohol doesn't cook off unevenly and everyone knows what they're drinking. For a single warm whiskey drink, make a hot toddy.
Make your wassail station
- A slow cooker on warm with a ladle
- Mugs and a small sign that says "alcohol-free"
- Cinnamon sticks and orange slices for garnish
- A plate of cookies, like the ones in our Christmas candy ideas
- Our hot cocoa bar right next to it for the chocolate fans
Plan the party and save the recipe
A pot of wassail costs a few dollars and serves a crowd, which makes it an easy way to keep party spending in check.
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. Track party food and drink spending next to your gift budget.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Write your family's wassail version down so it comes back every December.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (was $25.94). Six holiday printables in one download, from the gift budget to weekly meal plans.
Shop the full holiday collection. Want a freebie? Join our list and we'll email the Holiday Budget Starter Kit.
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Frequently asked questions
What is wassail? Wassail is a hot, spiced drink served in winter, especially around Christmas and the New Year. Older English versions were made with ale, wine or hard cider. Most American recipes today use apple cider, orange juice and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and allspice, so the whole family can drink it.
What does wassail mean? The word comes from an old English toast that roughly meant be well or good health. Wassailing also came to mean going door to door singing carols and sharing a drink, which is where the line here we come a-wassailing in the old carol comes from.
How do you make wassail? You make wassail by pouring 8 cups of apple cider, 2 cups of orange juice and 1/2 cup of pineapple juice into a large pot. Add 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice, a sliced orange and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, strain out the whole spices and serve hot.
Is wassail alcoholic? Wassail can be either alcoholic or alcohol-free. Traditional wassail often had ale, wine or hard cider, but most family recipes today are alcohol-free. If you want an adult version, keep the pot alcohol-free and let adults add a shot of spiced rum or brandy to their own mug.
Can you make wassail in a slow cooker? Yes, you can make wassail in a slow cooker. Add everything to a 6-quart slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Then switch it to warm for serving. Put the whole spices in a tea infuser or cheesecloth bundle so guests don't get cloves in their mugs.
What is the difference between wassail and mulled cider? Wassail and mulled cider are close cousins, but wassail usually adds fruit juice to the spiced cider. Mulled cider is usually just apple cider simmered with spices. Wassail usually adds orange juice, often pineapple or cranberry juice and sometimes lemon, so it tastes brighter and more like a punch.
Can you make wassail ahead of time? Yes, you can make wassail ahead of time. Make it up to 2 days ahead, strain out the spices so it doesn't turn bitter, and refrigerate it in a covered pitcher. Reheat on the stove or in the slow cooker until steaming before guests arrive.
How long does wassail last in the fridge? Strained leftover wassail keeps well in a covered container in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Reheat a mug at a time in the microwave or the whole batch on the stove. If it smells sour or fizzy, throw it out.
Should I use apple cider or apple juice for wassail? Apple cider gives a deeper, cloudier, more apple-forward flavor, and it's the classic choice. Apple juice works too but tastes sweeter and thinner, so cut back on the brown sugar and add a squeeze of lemon.
Is unpasteurized cider safe for wassail? The FDA says untreated juice and cider can carry harmful bacteria and are riskier for children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Look for pasteurized cider, especially when serving kids and grandparents.
How much wassail do I need for a party? Plan on about 1 1/2 cups per person for a 2 to 3 hour party, since most guests have one or two mugs. One gallon serves about 10 to 12 people, and a 6-quart slow cooker holds enough for about 15.
What do you serve with wassail? Wassail pairs well with Christmas cookies, gingerbread, cheese boards, spiced nuts and anything with cinnamon or orange. It's also a nice warm option next to a hot cocoa bar for guests who want something fruity instead of chocolate.
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