With Thanksgiving just a couple days away, I thought it the perfect time to share one of the things we have around the holidays every year, my mom’s wassail! She’s been making this for as long as I can remember and it’s always enjoyed by everyone. It’s a spiced apple cider that is great on its own or can be mixed with a spirit for a little boozy drink! If you’re attending a gathering this year and aren’t sure what to bring, this is a great option! It’s super easy to make, too! Just put all the ingredients together in a big pot on the stove, let it hang out for a bit, and then it’s ready to enjoy!
Warm Wassail Recipe
2-64 oz. bottles of apple cider (not apple juice!)
2/3 cup granulated sugar + 1 cup cranberry juice concentrate OR 1/3 cup granulated sugar + 1 cup regular cranberry juice
2 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons whole allspice
2 teaspoons whole cloves
Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove allspice and cloves. Pour wassail into a hot drink carafe or other receptacle for serving and enjoy!
(I put the allspice and cloves into a metal tea infuser to make it easier to remove after 30 minutes. You could also use cheesecloth, or just plan to strain wassail to remove after simmering.)
If you’re setting up a drink bar, you can put a bottle of rum or bourbon next to the wassail for guests to add in, if they want to!
