A quick and delectable hot cider beverage that’s perfect for entertaining outside in the winter. Young and old love this traditional wassail recipe equally! If preferred, you can put the cloves in a cheesecloth or teabag infuser for simple removal. Each cup benefits from having a cinnamon stick as a garnish.
| Prep Time: | 5 mins |
| Cook Time: | 10 mins |
| Total Time: | 15 mins |
| Servings: | 15 |
Ingredients
- 2 quarts apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
- 2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- ½ cup honey
Instructions
- Combine apple cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and honey in a large stockpot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat, or transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm while serving. Strain out cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving if desired.
Reviews
I love this recipe and having been making it for years, but am just not getting around to reviewing it. I make it for Yule and New Year’s Eve every year. Everyone loves it, so much so, that my neighbors started requesting it on NYE. My kids enjoy it and it has become a family tradition now. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I have used this recipe for 3 years now and everyone loves it! At least 3 times each year I’ve poured the ingredients and made the wonderful drink. Thanks so much!!!!
has been a family favorite for over 20 years !
I have been making this recipe for Thanksgiving for many years, but have been lax in the reviewing department. This is absolutely one of the best things about our feast. I cook it on the stove and then transfer to a large electric coffee urn (only ever used for this purpose, so no residual coffee flavor) so it can keep warm and individuals can refill as needed. Kids love it as well as adults. We keep apple whiskey, vodka, brandy and/or schnapps nearby so it can be spiked, if desired. All in all, a wonderful hot drink for every one!
We made this last night as written and it is wonderful. I’ve made wassail before and wasn’t crazy about it, but this recipe is the perfect combination of flavors. Thank you!
I made this in the crock pot. First I microwaved all liquids to near boiling to get the spices to bloom more. Then I added the liquid to the crock. It just isn’t spicy/flavorful enough for me. I like a sharper wassail. I’m just not sure what to do to make this stronger. I just added some fresh ginger slices to the mix to see if that helps.
The best hot apple cider EVER!
This was fantastic. I made it just as written.
When this drink was completed and I started to drink it, it made me think about a nice, warm, and cozy cabin in the snowy forest.
I have made this recipe twice this winter. I love it!!
Found this recipe to be pretty tasty and easy to make, BUT it needed a little kick. I added 1 tsp of ground ginger, allspice, and nutmeg. I also cut a few inches of fresh peeled ginger and threw it in as well. For presentation, I put the cloves in the skin of an unpeeled orange and dropped the whole thing into the pot. I let it simmer for a few hours and it came out great. I am going to make it again and top off each glass with German mulled wine and Port for an extra kick!
I’ve had wassail every year for Christmas since I can remember, and this is it! So warm and wonderful for those cold winter nights, especially in the northeast. For a little more toasty in your tummy, add your favorite gin, whisky, or apple brandy. Perfect!
The recipe was great! Easy to make. I reduced all ingredients by half for just two people to have two full mugs each. I garnished with cinnamon sticks and an orange wedge studded with whole cloves. Just a great recipe for Christmas!
I have been serving this hot cider at my annual Christmas party for years. It is delicious and so easy to make. I make it an hour or so before the guests arrive and this year I kept it warm in my new slow cooker which was much more convenient than keeping it on the stove in the stock pot. The aroma fills the house and puts everyone in a festive mood.
This is amazing Wassail! I tried some at Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, where they were selling the spice mix. It was good however this is far superior. A must have all winter long. I put it back in the jug and reheat the next morning. So delicious.
I thought this tasted good. A friend of mine gave me the recipe for the mulled cider served in colonial Willamsburg, at Christmas time, that I just loved. I thought I would try other spiced ciders and wassail punch to compare. It wasn’t quite sweet or cinnamony as the mulled cider, with the brown sugar and ground spices, that I had tried using the Williamsburg recipe. This was more of a winter’s version of a fruity punch.
I looked for a few wassail recipes online and finally picked this one as the one to make and I’m so glad I did. It is amazing and reminds me of my childhood. Finally found our traditional holiday drink. Exceptional – you won’t be disappointed! I followed the recipe exactly. 🙂
I took this to a New Year’s party and it was a HUGE hit. Everyone kept asking me what was in it because it was so good. Will definitely make again.
This is a fabulous recipe! Even my sister, who isn’t very fond of wassail, enjoyed this recipe. And it’s just as delicious cold, and with a touch of lemon-lime soda.
Delicious! This was my first time making wassail, and it was very good. My guests asked for the recipe. I’m giving this four stars because I’ve never had wassail that wasn’t yummy, and I don’t think this was necessarily better than wassail that I’ve tried other times/places.
we made this a long time ago and I just forgot to rate and review…talk about absolutely yummy! Thanks so much for such a great recipe!