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Slow Cooker Wassail with Cinnamon Sticks: Easy Kid-Friendly Recipe

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This slow cooker wassail is a warm, spiced apple cider and orange juice drink that’s naturally sweet, kid-friendly, and incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect budget-friendly beverage for holiday gatherings or cozy winter days, and it will make your whole house smell amazing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 ounces (1.9 liters) Apple Cider
  • 32 ounces (946 ml) Orange Juice
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) Brown Sugar, packed
  • 4–5 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1 tablespoon Whole Cloves
  • 1 teaspoon Whole Allspice Berries
  • 1 Orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 Apple, sliced into rounds

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Spices (Optional but Recommended): If you’re using a muslin bag or cheesecloth, place the whole cloves and whole allspice berries inside. Tie it closed securely.
  2. Combine the Liquids: Pour the 64 ounces of apple cider and the 32 ounces of orange juice directly into your slow cooker. Give it a quick stir.
  3. Add the Sweetener: Add the 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar to the liquid. Stir it in well.
  4. Add the Whole Spices: Drop in the 4-5 cinnamon sticks and your bag of cloves and allspice (or just toss them in loose). Give everything one more gentle stir.
  5. Top with Fruit Slices (Optional): Float the orange and apple slices on top of the liquid.
  6. Set and Forget: Put the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
  7. Taste and Adjust: After the minimum cooking time, give the wassail a taste. Adjust sweetness or spice as needed.
  8. Strain and Serve: Before serving, use a slotted spoon to remove the cinnamon sticks, the spice bag, and the large fruit slices. Ladle the warm wassail into mugs.

Notes

For the best flavor, use whole spices and a muslin bag to avoid biting into cloves. The wassail can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days; flavors deepen over time. To keep warm for a party, switch the slow cooker to the ‘Warm’ setting. For a spiked version, add 1 cup of dark rum or bourbon during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, wassail recipe, kid-friendly wassail, holiday drink, spiced apple cider, cinnamon sticks, easy wassail, budget-friendly drink

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/slow-cooker-wassail-with-cinnamon-sticks-easy-kid-friendly-recipe/