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Cozy Spiced Wassail Punch: Best Autumn Drink

cozy spiced wassail punch - featured image
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A warm, comforting wassail punch made with apple cider, orange juice, and a blend of whole spices. Perfect for autumn evenings, this easy 30-minute recipe is a crowd-pleaser that tastes like autumn in a mug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple cider (unsweetened or lightly sweetened, preferably unfiltered)
  • 2 cups orange juice (fresh-squeezed or store-bought)
  • 1 cup water (filtered preferred)
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 4 whole allspice berries
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (for garnish, optional)
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced (for garnish, optional)
  • Fresh cranberries (for garnish, optional)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (for stirring, optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the liquid base: Pour apple cider, orange juice, and water into a large pot. Add honey or maple syrup. Place over medium heat and warm gently until it reaches a gentle simmer (about 5 minutes). Do not boil.
  2. Add the whole spices: While the liquid warms, add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and star anise directly into the pot. Grate fresh nutmeg over the pot. Stir gently with a wooden spoon. (Tip: Place cloves and allspice in a tea infuser or cheesecloth bundle for easier straining.)
  3. Simmer gently: Once the liquid reaches a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil vigorously.
  4. Add fresh lemon juice: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. This brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
  5. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a heatproof bowl or serving pitcher. Pour the wassail through the strainer to remove whole spices. Ladle into mugs. Garnish with apple slices, orange slices, fresh cranberries, and a cinnamon stick for stirring, if desired.

Notes

For a clearer punch, strain twice (once through a fine-mesh strainer, then through a coffee filter or cheesecloth). For a boozy version, add 1 cup dark rum, bourbon, or brandy after removing from heat. For a slow cooker version, combine all ingredients except lemon juice and garnishes in a slow cooker; cook on low for 2-3 hours or high for 1 hour; stir in lemon juice before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, punch, apple cider, autumn drink, spiced, warm beverage, fall, cozy, non-alcoholic, holiday

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/cozy-spiced-wassail-punch-best-autumn-drink/