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Quick 5-Minute Spiced Wassail Punch with Cinnamon and Cloves

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This Quick Spiced Wassail Punch is a warm, comforting drink that comes together in just 5 minutes. Made with apple cider, orange juice, and whole spices, it’s the perfect cozy beverage for a chilly weeknight.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) apple cider or apple juice
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 4–5 whole cloves
  • 2–3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • Optional garnishes: thin apple slices, orange wheels, or extra cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Combine the liquids: Pour the 4 cups of apple cider and 1 cup of orange juice into your medium saucepan. Add the 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat. Give everything a good stir with your wooden spoon to help the honey dissolve into the liquid.
  2. Add the spices: Drop in the 4-5 whole cloves, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, and the optional star anise directly into the pot. Give the liquid another gentle stir to make sure the spices are submerged.
  3. Heat, don’t boil: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. You want to see small bubbles breaking the surface, not a rolling boil. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Simmer and infuse: Let the punch simmer gently for just 2-3 minutes. The color will deepen slightly, and the aroma will become even more intense.
  5. Strain and serve: Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Place your fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl or directly over your serving pitcher. Slowly pour the hot punch through the strainer to catch all the whole spices. Discard the spices.
  6. Ladle into mugs: Use your ladle to pour the warm, spiced punch into your heatproof mugs. Garnish each mug with a thin slice of apple or an orange wheel for a pretty presentation. Serve immediately while it’s nice and hot.

Notes

For a deeper flavor, toast the whole cloves and cinnamon sticks in the dry saucepan over low heat for 30-60 seconds before adding the liquids. Don’t skip the straining step to avoid biting into a whole clove. This punch can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove. For a crowd, multiply the recipe and use a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, spiced punch, apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, quick, easy, 5-minute, winter drink, holiday punch

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/quick-5-minute-spiced-wassail-punch-with-cinnamon-and-cloves/