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Best Wassail with Cranberry and Cloves: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This wassail with cranberry and cloves is a perfectly balanced, aromatic holiday drink that fills your home with cozy warmth. Made with simple, whole ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
  • 4 cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (or 3–4 whole allspice, gently crushed)
  • 2 oranges, thinly sliced into rounds
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (for garnish)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional garnish)
  • Additional cinnamon sticks (optional, for stirring)
  • Star anise (optional, for visual appeal)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spice bundle: Place the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and allspice berries in the center of a piece of cheesecloth. Gather the edges and tie securely with kitchen twine. Alternatively, use a large tea infuser.
  2. Simmer the cranberry juice with spices: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, pour in the 6 cups of cranberry juice. Drop in the spice bundle. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  3. Add the apple cider and orange juice: Pour in the 4 cups of apple cider and 1 cup of orange juice. Stir gently with a wooden spoon. Add the 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup. Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved. Increase the heat to medium and bring it back to a gentle simmer (do not boil).
  4. Add the fresh fruit: Carefully drop in the orange slices and apple slices. Let them simmer in the liquid for about 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and steep: Turn off the heat. Cover the pot and let the wassail steep for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove the spice bundle: Using tongs, carefully lift out the spice bundle and discard it. If you used loose spices, strain the wassail through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or punch bowl. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  7. Add the cranberries and serve: Toss in the fresh or frozen cranberries. Ladle the wassail into mugs or heatproof glasses. Garnish each serving with a fresh rosemary sprig and an extra cinnamon stick for stirring if desired.

Notes

Don’t overdo the cloves—six whole cloves is the sweet spot. Toast the spices first in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes for extra depth. Wassail improves with a day of rest; make it ahead and refrigerate. Keep warm in a slow cooker on ‘warm’ setting for parties. Strain if you prefer a clear drink. Always stir sweetener in while liquid is warm to ensure it dissolves fully.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, cranberry, cloves, holiday drink, Christmas punch, mulled cider, non-alcoholic, party drink

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/best-wassail-with-cranberry-and-cloves-easy-homemade-recipe/