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Cozy Crockpot Wassail with Orange and Cloves

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A warm, spiced holiday drink made in the slow cooker with apple cider, orange, cloves, and cinnamon. This cozy crockpot wassail is the perfect non-alcoholic punch for holiday gatherings, filling your home with the aroma of a Christmas market.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (8 cups) apple cider
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons whole cloves
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole star anise pods (optional)
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 2 medium oranges (1 for juicing, 1 for slicing and studding with cloves)
  • 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
  • ½ cup (60 g) fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions

  1. Prep your fruit: Wash one orange thoroughly and slice it into thin rounds, about ¼-inch thick. Stud each slice with 3-4 whole cloves, pressing them gently into the peel. Juice the second orange and set the juice aside. Slice the apple into thin rounds—no need to peel it.
  2. Layer the aromatics: Place the cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and sliced fresh ginger into the bottom of your crockpot.
  3. Add the liquids: Pour in the apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice. Drizzle in the honey or maple syrup. Give everything a gentle stir with a wooden spoon to start dissolving the sweetener.
  4. Top with fruit: Arrange the clove-studded orange slices and apple slices on top of the liquid. Scatter the cranberries over everything.
  5. Slow cook on low: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. The longer it goes, the more the flavors meld. Do not cook on high.
  6. Strain and serve: Before serving, use a slotted spoon to remove the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ginger slices. You can leave the orange and apple slices in if you like. Ladle the warm wassail into mugs.
  7. Taste and adjust: If you want it sweeter, stir in another tablespoon of honey. If you want more spice, let it simmer another 30 minutes with an extra cinnamon stick.

Notes

Don’t rush the simmering time; low and slow is key for deep flavor. Stud the oranges properly to release oils. Taste at the halfway point to adjust spices. Keep on warm setting after cooking. This wassail tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, crockpot wassail, slow cooker wassail, holiday punch, non-alcoholic wassail, spiced apple cider, orange and cloves, Christmas drink, cozy drink

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/cozy-crockpot-wassail-with-orange-and-cloves/