Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe– Aslow-cooked mulled ciderwith an enchanting deep and fruity flavor. This is a special autumn treat for parties or family game night!

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

Hot Cider

This fragrantSlow Cooker Cider Wassail Recipewill usher you into the spirit of fall in no time.

The first time I ever tasted wassail was at an old-fashioned village festival in 1986.

It was a chilly fall day. I was walking through the streets with my parents, taking in the local scenery. Everywhere I looked there were artisans dressed in turn-of-the-century garb carving soap bars, blowing glass ornaments, and throwing pottery.

Then behind me, I heard a man cry out, “Hot Waaaaaaaas-sailllllll!”

When I turned to see where the voice was coming from, the most intoxicating aroma of sweet spicy apples brushed past me.

There was only one thought in my mind.I must have that.

I pulled my parents toward a wooden street cart with a large black cauldron nestled in it, and looked up at them longingly.

The moment the hot wassail touched my lips, a wave of calming delight washed over me and warmed me to my toes.

At that moment,nothinghad ever tasted so good.

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

Wassail Recipe

My family walked through the village with warm hands from our wassail mugs, lifted spirits, and a lasting memory of sweet mulled cider wassail recipe.

This Slow Cooker Cider Wassail recipe is just the thing to warm your body and brighten your mood!

What exactly is Wassail?

It’s asweet and spicy mulled cidermade with apple cider, orange juice, hibiscus tea, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, juniper berries, and fresh fruit.

This wassail recipesimmers in a slow cookeruntil ready to serve and is always a hit with friends and family.

You can even make your wassail several days ahead and rewarm it for guests.

This is one of my absolute favorite slow cooker apple cider recipes because you simply can’t drink it without smiling.

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

How To Make Hot Apple Cider Wassail

Ingredients

  • Apple Cider
  • Orange Juice
  • Hibiscus Tea Bags
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Whole Cloves (or nutmeg)
  • Juniper Berries
  • Fresh Ginger (cut into slices)
  • An Apple (sliced into rounds)
  • An Orange (sliced into rounds)

Instructions

This recipe is just as easy as counting to one, two, three…

  1. Slice the fruit. Then place all ingredients in your crock pot. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
  2. Turn on your slow cooker to the high heat option, and let all the ingredientssimmer for 3 to 4 hours or until the fruit has become soft.
  3. Remove the tea bags from the slow cooker.
  4. Then serve your beverage warm or hot with a ladle. Garnish with your apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or even some cranberries/allspice berries. Enjoy!

See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (4)

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does wassail mean?

It is an homage of wishing good health to a person by presenting them a cup of wassail. Sipping and sharing wassail is a historic tradition that pairs with caroling and Christmas home visits. Caroling is often called wassailing. You can also drink this on New Year’s Eve to wish good health over the next year.

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks? How much?

Yes, you can. Although, cinnamon sticks are traditional served in each mug of wassail, you can use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, in place of cinnamon sticks.

Can I use ground clove? How much?

Use one large pinch of ground clove instead of whole cloves.

Can I make wassail in an instant pot or on the stove?

Absolutely! Warm on low heat for 2-3 hours. If it starts to simmer, lower the heat. You can do this in the Instant Pot as well, on the sauté setting, but it’s easier to control the heat on the stovetop.

How long does this hot mulled cider last in the fridge?

This hot cider wassail can last in the fridge for4 to 5 days, that is, if you don’t end up drinking it all.

Can I make this holiday drink spiked?

You can add alcohol to your traditional wassail recipe to spice it up. Add in your favorite brandy, bourbon, or rum to make a wassail co*cktail!

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (5)

More Hot Beverages

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, sodium, fiber, and sugar percentages.

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (6)

Print Recipe

5 stars (22 reviews)

Leave a Review »

Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

This fragrant Slow Cooker Cider Wassail Recipe will usher you into the spirit of fall in no time. A slow cooked mulled cider with an enchanting deep and fruity sweetness. A special autumn treat for parties or family game night!

Servings: 12

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 gallon Musselman’s Apple Cider
  • 4 cups orange juice
  • 4 hibiscus tea bags
  • 10 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon juniper berries
  • 1 1/2 inch fresh ginger piece, cut into slices
  • 1 apple, sliced into rounds
  • 1 orange, sliced into rounds

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cover.

  • Turn the slow cooker on high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until the color has darkened and the fruit is soft. Remove the tea bags and serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 14mg, Potassium: 536mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 205IU, Vitamin C: 50.8mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

Can you heat up cold apple cider to make hot apple cider? ›

1. Combine apple juice or apple cider with cloves and cinnamon in a microwaveable mug, cup or glass. 2. Heat in the microwave oven, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes.

How do you keep apple cider hot? ›

If you're using a slow-cooker, place the cider and cinnamon sticks into the slow cooker on high heat at least one hour before your guests arrive. Turn the heat to low to keep warm for the entirety of the party.

How do you serve hot cider at a party? ›

If you were doing hot apple cider you could keep it in a crockpot or insulated container. With a crockpot, you can keep in there to keep it hot and transfer to a pretty container as needed or serve out of the crockpot with a ladle.

What is the difference between wassail and mulling spice? ›

Both contain spices and some juice. One of the main differences is that mulled wine is often made with whole oranges. However, Wassail is traditionally made with apple juice.

Can I just heat up apple cider? ›

Apple cider is a versatile beverage you can integrate into your menu in a variety of ways. While delicious cold, you can turn apple cider into a warming and comforting drink by heating it on the stove and adding a sprinkle of your favorite type of cinnamon.

Is hot apple cider good for you? ›

Apple cider contains polyphenols, which are compounds in plants that act as antioxidants. They can help the body to fight against free radicals and cell damage, lowering your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols also help to ease inflammation in the body.

What can I add to apple cider to make it taste better? ›

Oranges. Oranges add a sweet, citrus flavor that acts as a perfect complement to the apples and spices. Cinnamon Sticks. Impart the delicious, warm, and cozy flavor of cinnamon into your delicious homemade apple cider recipe.

What kind of alcohol do you put in apple cider? ›

12 Liquors To Mix With Apple Cider
  • Bourbon and whiskey. Valentyn Volkov/Shutterstock. ...
  • Spiced rum. OLOZANO/Shutterstock. ...
  • Vodka. Igor Dudchak/Getty Images. ...
  • Sparkling wine. Jasmina81/Getty Images. ...
  • RumChata. The Image Party/Shutterstock. ...
  • Drambuie. Jenari/Shutterstock. ...
  • Orange liqueur. ArDanMe/Shutterstock. ...
  • Raspberry liqueur.
Dec 2, 2023

What is the best temperature for apple cider? ›

The sweet spot for enjoying craft cider is 50 to 55 degrees, though with the dry, tannic ciders, we even like them closer to room temperature. Let it warm up a bit. You'll thank us later. Use the right glassware.

What liquor is best in hot cider? ›

I prefer bourbon but whiskey or a dark rum with caramel flavors would also work wonderfully. What kind of bourbon goes in spiked apple cider? I used Makers Mark for this recipe which is one of my favorite bourbon brands. However, other brands I also recommend Four Roses or Woodford Reserve as other great options.

What appetizers go with hot apple cider? ›

Hot Spiked Cider Pairings
  • Apple Pie or Apple Crisp. ...
  • Cheddar Cheese and Crackers. ...
  • Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts. ...
  • Sausage and Sage Stuffing. ...
  • Pumpkin or Butternut Squash Soup. ...
  • Caramel Popcorn. ...
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. ...
  • Spiced Nuts.

What are the two types of wassailing? ›

The tradition of wassailing (alt sp wasselling) falls into two distinct categories: the house-visiting wassail and the orchard-visiting wassail.

What country is wassail from? ›

In the cider-producing counties in the South West of England (primarily Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire) or South East England (Kent, Sussex, Essex, and Suffolk), as well as Jersey, wassailing refers to a traditional ceremony that involves singing and drinking to the health of ...

Why do people drink wassail? ›

By wassailing their crops in the winter, it was said to ensure a healthy crop in the spring. As Christianity began to spread, this ritual evolved further into singing and drinking to the health of next season's crops on Twelfth Night; the last night of the traditional Christmas season.

Can cider go from cold to warm? ›

Cider is a hardy product and can tolerate swings of temperature as well as changes in light and time better than other alcohols, such as wine and beer. Just like beer, cider is meant to be enjoyed more at room temperature than ice cold.

Can you heat cold apple cider in the microwave? ›

Simply take a fine mesh sieve and pour your apple cider through. This will prevent a mushy mess of unappetizing apple chunks floating in your drink. Store it in an airtight container, and when you want to reheat your apple cider, it's ready to pop in the microwave for one to two minutes.

Does cider go bad if cold then warm? ›

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect its taste and longevity. Upright Storage: Keep the bottles upright to minimize oxidation and contamination from the cork. Avoid Light Exposure: Light, especially sunlight, can degrade the quality of such cider.

Which cider is best for mulled cider? ›

Full-bodied, dry and cloudy ciders that thins out when heated, are often a popular choice to mull. A sweet cider with a strong apple flavour is preferable, but it's also important that there's a hint of acidity to cut through the syrupy richness that too sweet a cider can result in.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6507

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.