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Best Crockpot Wassail with Orange & Cloves Recipe

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This crockpot wassail with orange and cloves is the ultimate effortless holiday drink. With simple, whole ingredients and a slow cooker, you can create a warm, spiced beverage that fills your home with a cozy aroma and impresses every guest.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (64 oz) apple cider
  • 2 cups (16 oz) orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large oranges, one sliced into rounds, one studded with whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves (about 15-20)
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
  • 4–6 star anise pods (for garnish)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup (120 ml) dark rum or brandy per serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the oranges (5 minutes): Wash both oranges thoroughly. Slice one orange into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Set aside. Take the second orange and, using a toothpick or small skewer, poke holes all over the peel. Press a whole clove into each hole. Set the clove-studded orange aside.
  2. Make the spice bundle (2 minutes): Cut a 6-inch square of cheesecloth. Place the remaining whole cloves (the ones not in the orange), the allspice berries, and one of the cinnamon sticks in the center. Gather the corners and tie securely with kitchen twine.
  3. Layer the crockpot (5 minutes): Pour the apple cider and orange juice into your crockpot. Add the brown sugar and stir until it mostly dissolves. Drop in the spice bundle and the remaining two cinnamon sticks. Lay the orange slices on top.
  4. Slow cook (2-3 hours on low, or 1 hour on high): Cover the crockpot and set it to low for 2-3 hours. If short on time, high for 1 hour works. About 30 minutes before serving, gently stir and taste. Adjust sweetness or spice as needed.
  5. Add the finishing touches (5 minutes before serving): Remove the spice bundle and orange slices. Float the clove-studded orange in the center. Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg over the top. Add star anise pods around the studded orange.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Ladle the warm wassail into mugs. If offering a spiked version, set out a small pitcher of dark rum or brandy so guests can add their own. Garnish each mug with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin orange slice if desired.

Notes

Do not boil the wassail; high heat makes spices bitter. Taste as you go and adjust spices to preference. For a crowd, strain through a fine-mesh sieve before serving to catch any stray cloves. Prep the night before by slicing oranges and making the spice bundle. Keep warm on the ‘warm’ setting for 4-6 hours; add a splash of apple cider if it reduces too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot wassail, wassail recipe, holiday drink, slow cooker wassail, orange and cloves, spiced apple cider, Christmas drink, party punch

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