Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe

Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe – A slow-cooked mulled cider with an enchanting deep and fruity flavor. This is a special autumn treat for parties or family game night!

Hot Cider

This fragrant Slow Cooker Cider Wassail Recipe will usher you into the spirit of fall in no time.

The first time I ever tasted wassail was at an old-fashioned village festival in 1986.

It was a chilly fall day. I was walking through the streets with my parents, taking in the local scenery. Everywhere I looked there were artisans dressed in turn-of-the-century garb carving soap bars, blowing glass ornaments, and throwing pottery.

Then behind me, I heard a man cry out, “Hot Waaaaaaaas-sailllllll!”

When I turned to see where the voice was coming from, the most intoxicating aroma of sweet spicy apples brushed past me.

There was only one thought in my mind. I must have that.

I pulled my parents toward a wooden street cart with a large black cauldron nestled in it, and looked up at them longingly.

The moment the hot wassail touched my lips, a wave of calming delight washed over me and warmed me to my toes.

At that moment, nothing had ever tasted so good.

Wassail Recipe 

My family walked through the village with warm hands from our wassail mugs, lifted spirits, and a lasting memory of sweet mulled cider wassail recipe.

This Slow Cooker Cider Wassail recipe is just the thing to warm your body and brighten your mood!

What exactly is Wassail?

It’s a sweet and spicy mulled cider made with apple cider, orange juice, hibiscus tea, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, juniper berries, and fresh fruit.

This wassail recipe simmers in a slow cooker until ready to serve and is always a hit with friends and family.

You can even make your wassail several days ahead and rewarm it for guests.

This is one of my absolute favorite slow cooker recipes because you simply can’t drink it without smiling.

How To Make Hot Apple Cider Wassail 

Ingredients

• Apple Cider
• Orange Juice
• Hibiscus Tea Bags
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Whole Cloves (or nutmeg)
• Juniper Berries
• Fresh Ginger (cut into slices)
• An Apple (sliced into rounds)
• An Orange (sliced into rounds)

Instructions

This recipe is just as easy as counting to one, two, three…

1. Slice the fruit. Then place all ingredients in your crock pot. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Turn on your slow cooker to the high heat option, and let all the ingredients simmer for 3 to 4 hours or until the fruit has become soft.
3. Remove the tea bags from the slow cooker. 
4. Then serve your beverage warm or hot with a ladle. Garnish with your apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or even some cranberries/allspice berries. Enjoy!

See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does wassail mean?

It is an homage of wishing good health to a person by presenting them a cup of wassail. Sipping and sharing wassail is a historic tradition that pairs with caroling and Christmas home visits. Caroling is often called wassailing. You can also drink this on New Year’s Eve to wish good health over the next year. 

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks? How much?

Yes, you can. Although, cinnamon sticks are traditional served in each mug of wassail, you can use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, in place of cinnamon sticks.

Can I use ground clove? How much?

Use one large pinch of ground clove instead of whole cloves.

Can I make wassail in an instant pot or on the stove?

Absolutely! Warm on low heat for 2-3 hours. If it starts to simmer, lower the heat. You can do this in the Instant Pot as well, on the sauté setting, but it’s easier to control the heat on the stovetop.

How long does this hot mulled cider last in the fridge?

This hot cider wassail can last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, that is, if you don’t end up drinking it all.

Can I make this holiday drink spiked? 

You can add alcohol to your traditional wassail recipe to spice it up. Add in your favorite brandy, bourbon, or rum to make a wassail cocktail!

More Hot Beverages

• Authentic Chai Tea 
• Mulled Wine Wassail
• Pumpkin Spice Latte – A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
• Mocha Latte – She Wears Many Hats
• Cinnamon Nutella Hot Cocoa – Miss In The Kitchen
• Skinny Caramel Macchiato Latte – Tidy Mom

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, sodium, fiber, and sugar percentages.

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5 from 22 votes

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Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

This fragrant Slow Cooker Cider Wassail Recipe will usher you into the spirit of fall in no time. A slow cooked mulled cider with an enchanting deep and fruity sweetness. A special autumn treat for parties or family game night!

Servings: 12

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

• 1 gallon Musselman’s Apple Cider
• 4 cups orange juice
• 4 hibiscus tea bags
• 10 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon juniper berries
• 1 1/2 inch fresh ginger piece, cut into slices
• 1 apple, sliced into rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds

Instructions

• Place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cover.
• Turn the slow cooker on high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until the color has darkened and the fruit is soft. Remove the tea bags and serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 14mg, Potassium: 536mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 205IU, Vitamin C: 50.8mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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