Print

Cozy Slow Cooker Wassail with Orange and Cloves

cozy slow cooker wassail - featured image
Print Recipe

This warm, gently spiced slow cooker wassail is a happy accident turned tradition. Made with apple cider, fresh oranges, and whole cloves, it fills your home with a winter wonderland aroma and tastes like the best kind of comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (1.9 L) apple cider, preferably unfiltered
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed or good quality store-bought
  • 1/4 cup (85 g) honey, or maple syrup for vegan option
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks, preferably Ceylon
  • 2–3 whole star anise
  • 1 large orange, washed
  • 1 large apple, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji, washed
  • Optional garnishes: fresh cranberries, extra orange slices, rosemary sprigs

Instructions

  1. Prepare the fruit: Wash the orange and apple thoroughly. Using a small skewer or toothpick, poke holes all over the orange and apple. Press a whole clove into each hole.
  2. Combine the base: Pour the apple cider and orange juice into a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add the honey and stir until mostly dissolved.
  3. Add the spices: Drop in the cinnamon sticks and star anise.
  4. Add the studded fruit: Gently place the clove-studded orange and apple into the slow cooker.
  5. Slow cook: Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours, until the liquid is steaming and fragrant.
  6. Check the sweetness: After 3 hours, taste and adjust sweetness with additional honey or orange juice if desired.
  7. Serve: Ladle the warm wassail into mugs. Leave the fruit and spices in the pot for presentation, or strain them out for a cleaner look.

Notes

Do not overcook; 3-4 hours on LOW is ideal. Use whole spices, not ground, to avoid a cloudy, gritty drink. Studding the orange and apple with cloves helps infuse flavor evenly. For a party, keep warm on the ‘Keep Warm’ setting for up to 4 hours. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, mulled cider, holiday drink, spiced apple cider, winter beverage, orange and cloves, cozy drink, party drink

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-slow-cooker-wassail-with-orange-and-cloves/