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Cozy slow cooker wassail with warm spiced apple cider, orange, cinnamon and cranberries.

Cozy Slow Cooker Wassail – Easy Spiced Apple Cider

Cozy non-alcoholic slow cooker wassail made with apple cider, fresh orange, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, and warm holiday spices. An easy hot drink for fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups 1.9 liters unfiltered apple cider
  • 1 large orange washed and sliced
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 6 whole allspice berries
  • 2 whole star anise pods
  • 5 thin slices fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar plus more to taste
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries optional
  • Small pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • Fresh orange slices for serving
  • Additional cinnamon sticks for serving, optional

Method
 

  1. Wash and slice the orange, removing obvious seeds.
  2. Slice the fresh ginger.
  3. Pour the apple cider into a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
  4. Add the orange slices.
  5. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, star anise, and ginger.
  6. Stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
  7. Add fresh cranberries if using.
  8. Add a small pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
  9. Stir gently.
  10. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours.
  11. After approximately 3 hours, carefully taste the cider.
  12. Add additional brown sugar if necessary.
  13. Remove the cooked fruit and whole spices, or strain the wassail through a fine-mesh strainer.
  14. Return the wassail to the slow cooker if strained.
  15. Switch the slow cooker to WARM for serving.
  16. Ladle into heat-safe mugs.
  17. Garnish with fresh orange slices and optional cinnamon sticks.
  18. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use apple cider, not apple cider vinegar.
  • Cloudy apple juice can substitute when cider isn't available.
  • Brown sugar is adjustable because cider sweetness varies significantly.
  • Whole spices are preferable to ground spices.
  • A spice bag makes cloves and allspice easier to remove.
  • Don't let the wassail boil aggressively.
  • Remove the spices once the desired flavor is reached.
  • Store strained leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze for up to approximately 3 months for best quality.
  • This recipe is completely non-alcoholic.