Mulled Apple Cider Wassail

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You won’t believe how easy it is to make Mulled Apple Cider Wassail in the slow cooker.

It’s so simple to make this old fashioned wassail recipe.

Easy slow cooker mulled apple cider wassail

A Rae Dunn Cheers mug full of Mulled Apple Cider Wassail on a buffalo plaid napkin next to a bottle of whiskey

The next best thing to biting into a sweet crisp apple fresh off the tree is enjoying a steaming cup of fresh Mulled Apple Cider Wassail.

This stuff is absolutely delicious.

And if you love this, you may also enjoy our traditional wassail bowl punch and Viking glogg recipes too!

You start off with apple juice – the fresher, the better.

Add in some orange juice, cinnamon, and cloves and let the flavors combine in your slow cooker for a flavor sensation that tastes just like Autumn and Winter.

Apple and orange mulled wassail is great for a crowd!

One great thing about this recipe is that it is super easy to make any size batch you want or need.

You can also easily choose whether to enjoy it “as is” or to spike it with some whiskey or spiced rum.

The flexibility of this recipe means that whether you simply want to enjoy some warm Mulled Apple Cider Wassail on a cool night at home – or serve up mugs of it to your friends and family, you’ve got it covered.

You can even pour it in a thermos or insulated coffee mug to carry it with you wherever you need to, unspiked, of course.

And since the booze is added in when you serve it, you can easily serve everyone from the same big batch.

This is a great thing since this recipe is so delicious, people will be clamoring for it throughout the colder months.

It is only fair to warn you, though – cooking up a pot of this delicious Mulled Apple Cider Wassail may have an unexpected side effect.

You could end up with an overwhelming desire to go out caroling!

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 Gallon Apple Juice or Cider
  • 1 C Orange Juice
  • 3 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 6 Cloves
  • Optional: Whiskey or Spiced Rum – 1 oz per mug

This recipe is meant to be multiplied, but I start with a small quantity to accommodate different size crock pots.

How to make hot apple cider wassail

If you like, you can start by lining the crock of your slow cooker with a slow cooker liner. This makes cleanup a cinch!

Put the crock in the slow cooker and turn it to the low heat setting. 

Then carefully pour both the apple and orange juices directly into the crock.

Next, it’s time to add some flavor! Gently drop the cinnamon sticks and cloves in the juice mixture.

Simply close the lid (this prevents evaporation and holds in the heat), and let it simmer.

About an hour of simmering is ideal. 

Now, if you’re planning to spike your wassail with a little booze, you want to do that after you’ve simmered the drink. 

Alcohol evaporates at 172 degrees Farenheit, so you can always use a candy thermometer to make sure that your cider wassail is the appropriate temperature prior to serving. You want it below that temperature.

Then pour a shot of whiskey or your favorite liquor in your mug.

Strain the wassail through a fine mesh strainer over the mug to serve.

If you’d like, you may garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick.

Some people like to float a star anise pod in the drink too!

Can I make apple cider and orange wassail on the stove top?

You can also make this on the stove top following similar instructions.

You’ll just need to use the lowest heat setting, stir, and be mindful of evaporation.

It doesn’t take long at all to make this on the stove top, and you want to make it right before serving to avoid evaporation.

Otherwise, you’ll end up needing to add more liquid ingredients.

How to spike the Apple Cider Wassail:

Our favorite way to spike the wassail is to let your guests do it themselves.

Set up a bar where they can easily ladle a cup full of fresh mulled wassail after adding a shot of their favorite liquor.

To do this easily, you can set up a beverage station.

Depending on how many people you are serving and whether the event is formal or casual, you may wish to serve directly from the crock pot.

If it’s a formal event, you may always fill thermal carafes with the cider or use a large capacity coffee or beverage dispenser that works for warm drinks. 

On the beverage station, I like to set up a variety of whiskeys and bourbons along with a spiced rum or two for your guests to have a choice.

I also like to include a variety of garnishes like fresh orange slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

If you enjoy Christmas themed and seasonal cocktails, you may enjoy these recipes too:

If you love our Mulled Apple Cider Wassail recipe, you may also enjoy some of these drinks too!

Sparkling Honey Cranberry Ginger Punch

Cranberry Mimosas

Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail

Slow Cooker Hot Holiday Punch

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Coffee

Chocolate Covered Cherry Martini

Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Chocolate Covered Raspberry Martini

Highland Whiskey Hot Chocolate

Chocolate Frosty Noggin

Caorunn Holiday Tea Punch

Sparkling Apple Martini

Pistachio Pudding Shots

Cran Apple Smash

Holiday Jello Shots

Cinnamon Gingerbread Eggnog

Frosted Cranberry Cocktail

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

The Grinch Ice Cream Float

try it and share!

Please let us know how you enjoy our Mulled Apple Cider Wassail recipe.

If you make it yourself, please let us know on Pinterest that you tried it and tag us with #champagneandcoconuts on your Instagram photo.

If you haven’t had a chance to make it yet, be sure to save the recipe on Pinterest so you’ll remember where you found it.

You may enjoy following our Pinterest Boards, Punch Recipes and Christmas Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes.

A Rae Dunn mug that says Cheers filled with Mulled Apple Cider Wassail next to a bottle of whiskey sitting on a buffalo plaid napkin.

A Rae Dunn mug that says Cheers filled with Mulled Apple Cider Wassail next to a bottle of whiskey sitting on a buffalo plaid napkin.

Mulled Apple Cider Wassail

Jennifer Quisenberry
Our recipe for Mulled Apple Cider Wassail is a delicious, old fashioned drink that's perfect to enjoy for Christmas. Serve it spiked with whiskey or without alcohol, everyone will love this delicious hot beverage made in the slow cooker.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, British
Servings 8
Calories 131 kcal

Equipment

  • slow cooker

Ingredients
  

  • ½ gallon apple juice
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cloves
  • Optional: Whiskey or Spiced Rum - 1 oz per mug

Instructions
 

  • Pre-Step: To make clean up easy, line your slow cooker with a slow cooker liner.
  • Turn your crock pot to low.
  • Pour the apple and orange juices to the crock pot.
  • Add Cinnamon sticks and cloves.
  • Cover with the lid and simmer for 1 hour prior to serving.
  • Optional: If including whiskey, pour 1 oz whiskey into your mug.
  • Strain the wassail by holding a fine mesh strainer over the mug and slowly pouring the wassail through the strainer into the mug.
  • Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you would like.

Notes

This recipe is meant to be multiplied, but I start with a small quantity to accommodate different size crock pots. You can also make this on the stove top following similar instructions. You’ll just need to use the lowest heat setting, stir, and be mindful of evaporation. It doesn’t take long at all to make this on the stove top, and you want to make it right before serving to avoid evaporation. Otherwise, you’ll end up needing to add more liquid ingredients.  Please note that nutrition facts are subject to change based on your choice of ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal
Keyword Mulled Apple Cider Wassail
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2 thoughts on “Mulled Apple Cider Wassail”

  1. 5 stars
    I made this for two holiday parties now, and it was a hit at both of them. It’s nice that I can make one drink that works for the ones who want alcohol and those who don’t.

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