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Cozy Cranberry Clove Wassail – Easy Family Favorite Recipe

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This warm, spiced cranberry clove wassail is a budget-friendly holiday drink that fills your home with festive aromas. Made with simple pantry staples, it’s perfect for parties, cozy nights, and feeding a crowd without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail blend)
  • 4 cups (960 ml) apple cider (unfiltered is best)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) orange juice (fresh-squeezed or good quality store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup (optional)
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 3 cinnamon sticks (Ceylon cinnamon preferred)
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) whole allspice berries (or 1/2 teaspoon ground)
  • 1 fresh ginger slice (about 1-inch piece, peeled)
  • Fresh cranberries (for garnish, optional)
  • Orange slices (for garnish, optional)
  • Cinnamon sticks (for garnish, optional)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the liquids: In a large stockpot, pour in the cranberry juice, apple cider, and orange juice. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup (if using). Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar starts to dissolve.
  2. Add the spices: If using a muslin bag or cheesecloth, place the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice berries, and ginger slice inside and tie it closed. If not, drop them directly into the pot.
  3. Bring to a simmer: Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (small bubbles breaking the surface, not a rolling boil). This takes about 8-10 minutes.
  4. Simmer and steep: Reduce the heat to low and let the wassail simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. The longer it sits, the more the spices infuse. Aim for 18 minutes for a balanced flavor.
  5. Taste and adjust: After 15 minutes, taste carefully. If you want it sweeter, stir in another tablespoon of brown sugar. If you want more spice, let it simmer another 5 minutes. If too strong, add a splash more apple cider.
  6. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl or pot. Carefully pour the wassail through the strainer to catch all the spices and any cranberry solids. If using a spice bag, lift it out. Discard solids.
  7. Keep warm: Transfer the strained wassail to a slow cooker set on ‘warm’ if serving over a few hours, or return to the pot and keep on the lowest stovetop setting. Ladle into mugs and garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.

Notes

Don’t boil the cranberry juice as it can become bitter. For deeper flavor, toast the whole spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding. The wassail tastes even better the next day. For a spiked version, add 1/2 cup dark rum, bourbon, or brandy after straining.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry wassail, holiday drink, spiced cider, warm beverage, Christmas drink, family recipe, easy wassail

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-cranberry-clove-wassail-easy-family-favorite-recipe/