Traditional Wassail Recipe {Slow Cooker} Wassail

This Traditional Recipe for Wassail is made with spiced apple cider that’s been infused with baking spices and fresh citrus. It’s the perfect warm and cozy holiday drink to make during the winter months, and super simple to make in a slow cooker.

Since our Wassail drink recipe is non-alcoholic, family and friends of all ages can look forward to it every single year. But, if you want to spike it, I recommend using your favorite bourbon or whiskey. For more warm winter drinks, you can also try our Hot Mulled Cider or Nutella Hot Chocolate.

A slow cooker with this traditional Wassail recipe ingredients including cinnamon sticks, star anise, and sliced citrus.

Traditional Recipe for Wassail

The smell of hot Wassail gently simmering is, hands down, one of the best parts of the cool winter months. Luckily, in order to get the best flavor, you’ll need to cook the Wassail low and slow for a number of hours.

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This traditional Wassail recipe is made with apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice that are slowly simmered with deliciously fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.

What is Wassail?

Wassail is a traditional English hot mulled punch that is typically made during the winter months and around Yuletide. Modern day Wassail is typically made with apple juice or apple cider, another juice such as orange juice, pineapple juice, or cranberry juice, and baking spices.

Sliced citrus and/or apple slices are added to the liquid, and it is then simmered for many hours to allow the flavors to infuse. It’s meant to be served warm, with or without alcohol.

Ingredients for making this wassail drink recipe, including orange juice, apple juice, pineapple juice, and citrus.

Key Ingredients

Apple Juice – you can use any kind of apple juice or apple cider for this Wassail drink.
Orange Juice – use either store bought or fresh squeezed orange juice.
Pineapple Juice – this adds a little extra sweetness and flavor. A great substitute would be cranberry juice, or extra orange and apple juice.
Lemon Juice – this balances out the sweetness and flavors really nicely.
Sugar – our Wassail recipe calls for granulated sugar, but brown sugar would also be great.
Cinnamon Sticks – the flavor of slowly simmered cinnamon sticks truly can’t be beat. But, if you don’t have any whole cinnamon sticks, mix in about 1 ½ tablespoons of ground cinnamon.
Whole Cloves – simmering whole cloves adds a lot of flavor, but it doesn’t overpower the drink. If you want to substitute ground cloves, add about ¼ teaspoon.
Star Anise – it only takes 2 whole star anise to add flavor to this entire batch of Wassail. You don’t want to go crazy with the flavor, but it’s so festive and delicious.
Oranges and Lemons – to prepare, wash the rinds in water then slice them whole into 1/3″-1/2” slices.

How to Make Slow Cooker Wassail

Add ingredients to a slow cooker. In a slow cooker, add the apple juice (or apple cider), orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise. Mix together, then add the sliced oranges and lemons.
Cook. Cover and cook on low for 5-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s done when it is hot and super fragrant.
Strain. Strain through a piece of cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer, then return to the crock pot.
Serve. Serve warm. Enjoy!

A glass mug with hot wassail garnished with a slice of orange, star anise, and cinnamon stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wassail contain alcohol?

This Wassail drink recipe does not contain any alcohol. However, if you want to make this Wassail recipe with alcohol, we recommend adding 1 ounce of your favorite bourbon or whiskey to a mug, then filling with warm Wassail. Stir with a cinnamon stick and serve.

What’s the difference between mulled cider and Wassail?

While mulled cider and Wassail are essentially both warm spiced apple cider drinks, the main difference is that Wassail is usually made with another juice while mulled cider is typically made with only apple cider.

How long does Wassail last?

You can keep leftover Wassail in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just make sure you don’t put a large pot of hot Wassail into your refrigerator! Allow it to cool completely first, then store in an airtight container.

How long should I cook Wassail?

The reason that you need to cook Wassail for so long is to allow it time for all of the spices and flavors to mix and mingle. In short, the longer that you cook your Wassail, the more flavorful it will be. We recommend cooking over the stovetop for at least 1 hour, but preferably up to 6. Or, you can cook in a slow cooker on low for 5-8 hours.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator: store cooled Wassail in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To reheat: transfer Wassail to a large pot and reheat over medium until warmed through. You could also add a single serving to a mug and reheat in a microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring in between.

More Easy Holiday Drink Recipes

This Wassail recipe is easy, delicious, and permeates the entire house with the most amazing smell. It’s the perfect warm spiced apple cider drink to make during the winter holiday season.

Categories:

Christmas, Crockpot, Dairy-Free, Drinks, Fall Recipes, Gluten-Free, Holiday Favorites, Nut-Free, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian, Winter Recipes,