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Seasonal scents of cinnamon and allspice float through the holiday air from this deliciously simple drink, which is The Best Homemade Wassail. Made with apple cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice, and steeped with fresh-cut fruit and spices. This heartwarming drink is a staple for toasting in warm moments.
Some of my other favorite holiday drinks to serve during the season is this Homemade Eggnog and Apple Cider Hot Toddy.
The Best Homemade Wassail
The anticipation of Christmas Morning still leaves me sleepless on Christmas Eve. No visions of sugarplums dancing through my head can rock me to sleep as I anxiously wait for my kids to excitedly arouse the next morning.
As a kid, I couldn’t wait to charge under the lit tree to find treasures, and now the joy of the morning is brought by watching these same moments ignite on my children’s faces. The true meaning of Christmas is the joy in the birth of our Lord and Savior.
My childhood memories always come rushing in as a catch a scent of homemade wassail floating through the house. No Christmas morning was complete without the heartwarming delicious beverage.
Ingredients in Homemade Wassail
- 1 pint Apple Cider
- 3 cups Orange Juice
- 1 1/2 cups Cranberry Juice
- 1 teaspoon Whole Allspice
- 5 Cinnamon Sticks
- 4 pieces Whole Star Anise (optional)
- 1/2 cup Whole Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Orange, sliced
- 1 Apple, cored and sliced
PRO TIP: place the whole allspice berries in a tea strainer to avoid scooping them in your cup. No strainer? Use a coffee filter tied with string.
How to Make The Best Homemade Wassail
This beverage is best served hot after simmering on the stove.
- Boil. Pour the apple cider, orange juice, and cranberries in a large heavy-bottomed pot and set to medium heat on the stove. Bring to a slow boil and immediately reduce heat to low.
- Simmer. Place the whole allspice berries and the star anise (if using) in a tea strainer and add to the simmering pot.
- Garnish. Add the cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, orange slices, and apple to the pot and let simmer for 30 minutes.
Alcohol to Serve with Wassail
Serving wassail with alcohol is entirely optional but makes a delicious party punch or holiday cocktail. The alcohols that pair best with this drink are Brandy, Bourbon, Dark Rum, and Sherry. You could easily whip up a batch of this for the adults and then prepare this Fruit Punch recipe for the kids.
The Best Homemade Wassail
Ingredients
- 1 pint Apple Cider
- 3 cups Orange Juice
- 1½ cups Cranberry Juice
- 1 teaspoon Whole Allspice
- 4 Star Anise optional
- 5 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Orange sliced
- 1 Apple cored and sliced
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider, orange juice, and cranberries in a large heavy-bottomed pot and set to medium heat on the stove. Bring to a slow boil and immediately reduce heat to low.
- Place the whole allspice berries and the star anise (if using) in a tea strainer and add to the simmering pot. If you don't have a tea strainer use a coffee filter tied up with string or place the spices direction into the pot (you will just need to use a small slotted spoon to remove them before serving).
- Add the cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, orange slices, and apple to the pot and let simmer for 30 minutes. Ladle into mugs and serve with your choice of alcohol if desired.
I made this for Christmas and everyone raved that it tasted like true wassail! Thanks for the recipe!
Awe, that is wonderful Lara! I think I’m going to make some myself this year too.