Wassail can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon England, and is derived from the words ‘waes hael’ meaning ‘good health’. It was traditionally drunk on New Year’s Eve or the Twelfth day of Christmas in the apple orchards. This tradition came to be known as wassailing. It consisted of people singing, dancing, and drinking to scare off evil spirits to ensure a good crop for the next year. The original recipe consisted of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar. You can see how hot apple cider was derived from this recipe, although I’m not sure I would want to try the original!
My version of this old classic incorporates one of my favorite fall flavors, cranberries! This hot wassail is sweet, tart, and ladened with warm baking spices, making for the perfect sip! Be sure to get apple juice that is unsweetened and has nothing else in it. I often have a hard time finding an SCD legal brand, so I just use my juicer and make my own. For the 4 cups in this recipe, it usually takes 14-16 apples depending on size. You can also use frozen cranberries if you can’t find them fresh, just be sure nothing else is added and thaw them in the fridge the night before you make the wassail. This drink is perfect for chilly fall evenings or fall fun family activities and is so easy to make! Cheers, to fall!
Slow Cooker English Cranberry Wassail Cider
Serves 8
Prep: 15 min
Cooking: 4-6 hours
Total: 6 hours 15 min
Beginner
Ingredients:
4 cups apple juice, no sugar added
2 cups orange juice, not from concentrate
1 cup cranberry juice, no sugar added
4 Gala apples, cored and quartered
2 Oranges, sliced, plus extra for serving
1 Lemons, sliced
2 cups cranberries, whole, frozen, or fresh
12 Cloves, whole
5 Cinnamon sticks, whole plus extra for serving
½ tsp. nutmeg, ground
¼ cup honey
Method Of Prep:
- Gather and prep ingredients.
- Set up your slow cooker or crockpot.
- Core and quarter apples and slice oranges and lemons and set aside.
- In a small square of cheesecloth add cloves and tie with butcher twine, set aside.
- Add in your apple, orange, and cranberry juice to your slow cooker.
- Next, add in apples, oranges, lemons, and cranberries.
- Then add in your sachet of cloves, whole cinnamon sticks, and ground nutmeg.
- Lastly, add in the honey. Stir to incorporate.
- Set your slow cooker on low for six hours or high for 4 hours.
- Once time has elapsed remove and discard sachet and cinnamon sticks.
- Carefully strain the wassail and ladle into mugs or glassware.
- Top with a few fresh cranberries, a cinnamon stick, and place an orange slice on the side of the cup, enjoy!
Nutrition Facts: (Per 8 ounce serving)
Calories- 189
Carbs- 44.2 g
Fat- 0.3 g
Protein- 1.0 g