Print

The Best Slow Cooker Wassail with Orange & Cloves Recipe

slow cooker wassail with orange and cloves - featured image
Print Recipe

This slow cooker wassail with orange and cloves is a warm, spiced holiday punch that fills your home with an incredible aroma. It’s easy to make, perfect for parties, and has become a signature drink for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (unfiltered)
  • 2 cups orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2 oranges (one sliced into rounds, one studded with extra cloves for garnish)
  • 1 apple (sliced into thin rounds)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Optional: 1/2 cup bourbon or dark rum (for adult version)

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit: Wash oranges and apple. Slice one orange into thin rounds (about 1/4-inch thick). Slice the apple into similar rounds, removing seeds. Stud the remaining orange with whole cloves (about 20-30 cloves) in a decorative pattern.
  2. Contain the spices: Place the whole cloves in a piece of cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine to make a bundle. Leave cinnamon sticks loose.
  3. Load the slow cooker: Pour apple cider and orange juice into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add honey, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger. Drop in cinnamon sticks and the cheesecloth bundle of cloves. Arrange orange and apple slices on top.
  4. Cook on low: Set slow cooker to low and cook for 3-4 hours until steaming hot and spices are fully infused.
  5. Add the studded orange: About 30 minutes before serving, gently place the clove-studded orange into the wassail.
  6. Serve warm: Switch slow cooker to warm setting. Ladle into mugs, including a slice of orange or apple if desired. If adding bourbon or rum, pour about 1 ounce per serving directly into each mug.

Notes

Always contain whole cloves in cheesecloth to avoid guests biting into them. The wassail gets better the longer it sits; can be made up to 6 hours ahead and kept on warm. For a non-alcoholic version, omit bourbon/rum. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, orange and cloves, holiday punch, warm spiced drink, apple cider punch

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/the-best-slow-cooker-wassail-with-orange-and-cloves-recipe/