Wassail Recipe | Dessert Now Dinner Later (2024)

Home » Drinks » Wassail Recipe

November 26, 2023by Amber Brady3

Warm your heart and soul with a steaming mug of this traditional wassail. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones during the holidays or simply seeking a comforting drink to enjoy by the fireside, this wassail recipe will fill your home with the fragrant, spicy goodness of mulled apple cider. Made easy on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

Want more holiday drinks? Try my Cranberry Orange Mocktail, Holiday Punch, Sparkling Apple Cider, or Red Christmas Punch.

What is Wassail?

Wassail, also known as mulled apple cider, is a traditional warm spiced beverage, often associated with the holiday season. It’s made by simmering a combination of fruit juices, spices, and sweeteners and was first created by the English for wassailing, or singing carols, wishing good health, and exchanging gifts door to door.

Wassail pairs the sweetness of apples with the tang of citrus and the bold flavor of spices all wrapped into a warm soothing drink. BONUS: Making this wassail recipe will also make your house smell amazing!

Why You’ll Love this Drink

• Warmth and Comfort: Wassail is a comforting and warming drink, making it perfect for chilly winter days. It helps chase away the cold and provides a sense of coziness.
• Entertaining Guests: Wassail is an excellent choice for hosting gatherings and parties. It’s a crowd-pleaser and serves many guests.
• Unique Flavors: Wassail’s combination of apple cider, spices, and fruit juices creates a unique and flavorful drink that’s different from everyday beverages.

Ingredients for this Wassail Recipe

There are only six ingredients in this traditional wassail recipe.

1. Apple Cider: The apple cider serves as the base, providing a sweet and slightly tart apple flavor that’s both soothing and familiar.
2. Pineapple Juice: The addition of pineapple juice adds a tropical twist to the wassail, contributing a touch of brightness and a hint of tanginess that complements the apple cider’s sweetness.
3. Orange Juice: Orange juice enhances the overall citrus notes, adding a zesty and refreshing element to the drink.
4. Honey: The honey brings a natural sweetness and a subtle floral complexity, balancing the flavors and providing a smooth mouthfeel.
5. Cinnamon Sticks: Cinnamon sticks infuse the wassail with warm, spicy notes, creating a delightful aroma and adding depth to the taste.
6. Whole Cloves: Cloves contribute a rich and aromatic essence, offering a slightly earthy, peppery, and warm flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.

The combination of these ingredients results in a wassail that’s both sweet and tangy, with a medley of fruity, spicy, and aromatic notes.

OPTIONAL: I like to throw in a sliced apple and orange for extra flavor as well, but it’s not necessary. You could also insert the cloves into these fruits whole (instead of sliced), so it’s easier to remove the aromatics from the mulled cider before serving.

How to Make Mulled Apple Cider

You’ve got two options when making wassail, or mulled apple cider. Using a 6-QT or larger stock pot on the stovetop, or using a 6 to 8-QT slow cooker. Both work just fine.

• Pour the apple cider, pineapple juice, orange juice, and honey into a large pot. Stir to combine.

• Add the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Insert slices of an apple and orange, if desired.
• Cover with a lid and cook on medium-low heat for 1 hour, keeping the simmer to a minimum. (Don’t boil it all away.)
• If desired, strain the spices and sliced fruit from the liquid into a large pot using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Ladle the hot mulled cider into mugs and enjoy.

TO MAKE IN A CROCKPOT: Add ingredients as instructed into a 6 to 8-QT slow cooker instead of a stockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Serve warm.

Recipe Tips and Storage

Wassail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Yield: 16 servings

This wassail recipe, or mulled apple cider, is a warm non alcoholic drink infused with citrus and spices, made easy on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon apple cider
• 46 oz can pineapple juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1/2 cup honey (or granulated sugar)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 Tbsp whole cloves
• 1 apple sliced, optional
• 1 orange sliced, optional

Instructions

1. Pour the apple cider, pineapple juice, orange juice, and honey into a 6-QT or larger stock pot. Stir to combine.
2. Add the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Insert slices of an apple and orange, if desired.
3. Cover with a lid and cook on medium-low heat for 1 hour, keeping the simmer to a minimum. (Don’t boil it all away.)
4. If desired, strain the spices and sliced fruit from the liquid into a large pot using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Ladle the hot mulled cider into mugs and enjoy.

Notes

• TO MAKE IN A CROCKPOT: Add ingredients as instructed into a 6 to 8-QT slow cooker instead of a stockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Serve warm.
• YIELD: Approximately 1 gallon of mulled cider.
• TIP: Poke the whole cloves into the skin of the apple and orange (whole instead of sliced), so it’s easier to remove the aromatics from the mulled cider when serving.
• To substitute ground spices: Use 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 3/4 tsp ground cloves. Up to 1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg is also a nice addition.
• To add more tang: Use half the amount of honey (or sugar) or add the juice from 1 lemon; about 2-3 Tablespoons.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 

  Circulon Stock Pot

• 

  Crockpot

• 

  Ladle

• 

  See Also

  German Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage Recipe. Like Oma used to make.

  Fine Mesh Strainer

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 164Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 1g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix, and is an estimation only.

*Originally published 11/11/2012. Post updated November 2023.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.