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Easy Slow Cooker Spiced Wassail with Orange and Cloves

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This Easy Slow Cooker Spiced Wassail with Orange and Cloves is a warm, cozy holiday drink made with apple cider, orange juice, and whole spices. It’s simple to prepare, perfect for gatherings, and fills your home with an amazing aroma.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (1.9 L) apple cider
  • 2 cups (480 ml) orange juice
  • 1 whole orange, sliced into rounds
  • 2 tablespoons (about 30 whole cloves)
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 2–3 whole star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into coins
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (to taste)
  • Apple slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Orange: Wash the orange and slice it into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Press the whole cloves into the orange slices, spacing them out.
  2. Prep the Ginger: Scrub the fresh ginger (no need to peel) and slice it into thin coins.
  3. Combine the Liquids: Pour the apple cider and orange juice into a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir briefly.
  4. Add the Spices: Add the clove-studded orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, allspice berries, and sliced ginger. (Optionally, tie all spices in a cheesecloth bag for easy removal.)
  5. Set It and Forget It: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours, until steaming hot and fragrant.
  6. Adjust Sweetness: Taste the wassail after at least 1 hour of simmering. Stir in honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired sweetness is reached.
  7. Serve: Ladle the wassail into mugs, avoiding whole spices. Garnish with a thin slice of fresh apple if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a spiked version, add 1 cup of dark rum, bourbon, or brandy during the last 30 minutes of simmering. To make a cranberry wassail, swap 1 cup of orange juice for 1 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, slow cooker wassail, spiced wassail, holiday drink, apple cider, orange, cloves, cinnamon, slow cooker drink, Christmas drink

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/easy-slow-cooker-spiced-wassail-with-orange-and-cloves/