Spiced Apple Cider Wassail (easy recipe)
This traditional English-style wassail is a warm, spiced punch made with apple cider, citrus, black tea, and brandy. It’s the vintage version of hot cider: richer, more aromatic, and meant for sharing during holiday gatherings. Estimated time given for stovetop option.
Servings 10 cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups strong brewed black tea such as English Breakfast or Assam
- 8 cups apple cider homemade or store-bought, or unfiltered apple juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- ½ whole lemon thinly sliced
- 2 whole oranges sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 4 whole allspice berries
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger sliced
- 1 star anise optional
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar or to taste
- ½ to 1 cup brandy or rum added after simmering
- extra orange slices and cinnamon sticks for serving
Instructions
Stovetop method:
- Brew 2 cups strong brewed black tea. Steep for about 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags (or strain the leaves). Set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, add 8 cups apple cider, 2 cups orange juice, ½ whole lemon and 2 whole oranges, sliced, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 4 whole allspice berries, 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, 1 star anise, and 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar.
- Pour in the brewed tea and stir to combine.
- Warm over medium-low heat until it just begins to steam. Reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer for 30–40 minutes. Avoid boiling; it can make the tea bitter and dull the spices.
- Turn off the heat and stir in ½ to 1 cup brandy or rum (or rum/sherry). Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
Slow cooker method:
- Add 2 cups strong brewed black tea, 8 cups apple cider, 2 cups orange juice, ½ whole lemon and 2 whole oranges, sliced, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 4 whole allspice berries, 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, 1 star anise and 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, or on HIGH for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until the mixture is hot and fragrant. Avoid overcooking, as the tea can turn slightly bitter if it steeps too long.
- Turn off the heat and stir in ½ to 1 cup brandy or rum, rum, or sherry.
- Switch the slow cooker to the WARM setting to keep the wassail hot for serving, up to 3 hours. Stir occasionally so the flavors stay balanced.
For both methods:
- Ladle into mugs, garnish with extra orange slices and cinnamon sticks, and serve warm.
- You can make the Wassail base a day ahead (without the alcohol), refrigerate it, then reheat it in the slow cooker or stovetop and add the brandy just before serving.
Notes
Add alcohol after you make the spiced apple cider with the tea mixture. Not only is it the way to do it, but you can divide it and make both the non-alcoholic and boozy versions, depending on who the guests are. Remember to cut the alcohol amount in half, or you'll have a very spiked wassail to serve.
Simmer, don't boil, or the tea can turn slightly bitter. We don't want that.
