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"A steaming glass mug of amber-hued Wassail, garnished with a bright orange slice and a cinnamon stick, sits on a rustic wooden table. In the softly blurred background, a pitcher of more Wassail and scattered festive spices are visible."
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Wassail Recipe Your Ultimate Guide to a Festive Brew

Discover the heartwarming tradition of Wassail with this delightful spiced apple cider beverage. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it fills your home with an irresistible aroma and tastes even better!
Course Drinks, Snack
Cuisine European
Keyword Hot Wassail Recipe, Old Fashioned Wassail Recipe, Wassail recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 142kcal
Author C. Sophie

Ingredients

  • 2 medium apples such as Gala or Honeycrisp
  • 8 cups 2 quarts unsweetened apple cider
  • 2 cups 16 oz fresh orange juice
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 cinnamon sticks 3-inch long
  • 15-20 whole cloves
  • 1- inch piece fresh ginger thinly sliced
  • 2 whole star anise
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar optional (adjust to taste)
  • Orange slices and fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:

  • Carefully stud each apple with 7-10 whole cloves, distributing them evenly. This infuses the apples and subsequently the wassail with a delightful spice. Gather your cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger slices, and star anise.

Step 2:

  • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, clove-studded apples, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger slices, star anise, and freshly grated nutmeg. If using, add the optional brown sugar now.

Step 3:

  • Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Do not allow it to boil, as this can diminish the delicate flavors. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. The longer it simmers, the more robust the taste.

Step 4:

  • Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the clove-studded apples, cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, and star anise from the pot before serving. Ladle the warm wassail into heatproof mugs. Garnish each serving with a fresh orange slice and a few cranberries, if desired.

Notes

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Note: These values are per serving and are approximate.
Nutrient Amount
Calories 142kcal
Fat 1g
Carbohydrates 35g
Protein 1g
Sugar 28g
Fiber 3g
Sodium 13mg