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Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Wassail with Orange & Cloves

cozy slow cooker spiced wassail - featured image
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A warm, spiced, non-alcoholic wassail made with apple cider, cranberry juice, and clove-studded oranges, simmered in a slow cooker for a deeply aromatic holiday drink.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (1.9 L) apple cider (preferably unfiltered)
  • 4 cups (950 ml) cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup (real maple syrup)
  • 2 large oranges (preferably organic, unwaxed)
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons (about 30 whole cloves) plus extra for studding oranges
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 teaspoon whole cardamom pods, lightly crushed (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
  • 2 star anise pods
  • Fresh cranberries (optional, for garnish)
  • Thin apple slices (optional, for garnish)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (optional, for stirring)

Instructions

  1. Wash the oranges thoroughly. Score the peel in a few places with a small paring knife. Press whole cloves into the oranges, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart (about 15-20 cloves per orange).
  2. Pour the apple cider and cranberry juice into a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup, and stir until the sugar begins to dissolve.
  3. Add the cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cardamom pods (if using), star anise, and ground nutmeg. Do not stir vigorously.
  4. Gently place the clove-studded oranges and lemon slices into the liquid. Some oranges may float.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the liquid is deeply fragrant and steaming.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. Add more maple syrup for sweetness, lemon juice to balance, or extra cloves for more spice.
  7. Ladle the wassail into mugs, including a clove-studded orange or lemon slice in each cup. Garnish with fresh cranberries or apple slices if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not let the wassail boil, as it can make the spices bitter. For a spiked version, stir in 1/2 cup (120 ml) dark rum, bourbon, or brandy 15 minutes before serving. The wassail can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days; remove oranges and lemon slices before storing. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker on LOW.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, slow cooker, spiced, orange, cloves, holiday, Christmas, apple cider, cranberry, non-alcoholic

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