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Cozy Slow Cooker Wassail with Cinnamon Sticks – Best Slow Cooker Wassail

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This cozy slow cooker wassail with cinnamon sticks is a warm, spiced holiday drink made with apple cider, citrus, and whole spices. It’s easy to prepare, fills your home with a festive aroma, and is perfect for entertaining or cozy winter nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (about 3–4 oranges)
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed (about 2–3 lemons)
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 4 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 apple, sliced into rounds (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
  • 1/4 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spice bundle: Cut a square of cheesecloth about 8 inches wide. Place the whole cloves, star anise, and allspice berries in the center. Gather the corners and tie securely with kitchen twine, leaving a long tail for easy removal.
  2. Combine the liquids: Pour the apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the honey or maple syrup and stir with a wooden spoon until mostly dissolved.
  3. Add the aromatics: Drop in the spice bundle and the cinnamon sticks (break one in half to expose more surface area). Add the orange slices, apple slices, and cranberries if using.
  4. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours. The wassail is ready when the kitchen smells fragrant and the fruit slices have softened slightly.
  5. Remove the spice bundle: Carefully lift out the spice bundle using the twine tail, letting it drip into the slow cooker before discarding. Leave the cinnamon sticks in for visual appeal, but remove after 4 hours if keeping warm longer to avoid bitterness.
  6. Taste and adjust: Stir and taste. Add more honey for sweetness or lemon juice for brightness if desired.
  7. Serve warm: Ladle into mugs, including fruit slices and a fresh cinnamon stick for garnish.

Notes

Toast whole spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding for deeper flavor. Avoid boiling; switch to WARM setting after 3 hours if slow cooker runs hot. Wassail can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days; flavors deepen overnight. For a spiked version, add 1 cup dark rum, bourbon, or brandy during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, slow cooker wassail, holiday drink, spiced cider, cinnamon, Christmas drink, warm beverage, slow cooker

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