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Cozy Wassail with Cranberry and Cloves: Best Homemade Holiday Drink

cozy wassail with cranberry and cloves - featured image
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A warm, comforting holiday drink made with cranberry juice, apple cider, and orange juice, infused with whole cloves, cinnamon, and star anise. This easy 30-minute recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy nights by the fire.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened if possible)
  • 4 cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 2 cups orange juice (fresh-squeezed or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 3 cinnamon sticks (Saigon cinnamon recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 fresh ginger slice (1-inch piece, peeled and sliced thin)
  • Fresh cranberries (for garnish, optional)
  • Orange slices (for garnish, optional)
  • Additional cinnamon sticks (for stirring, optional)
  • Star anise (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the liquids: Pour the cranberry juice, apple cider, and orange juice into a large pot. Add the honey or maple syrup and lemon juice. Stir together with a wooden spoon until the sweetener is mostly dissolved.
  2. Add the whole spices: Drop in the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, star anise, and ginger slice. If using a cheesecloth bundle, tie it up and drop it in.
  3. Bring to a gentle simmer: Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (small bubbles breaking the surface, not a rolling boil). Once simmering, reduce the heat to low.
  4. Let it infuse: Let the wassail simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together.
  5. Taste and adjust: After 15 minutes, taste and adjust sweetness with more honey or maple syrup, or balance with lemon juice. For more spice, let it simmer longer or add another cinnamon stick.
  6. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or serving pitcher. Carefully pour the wassail through the strainer to catch all the whole spices and ginger slices. Discard the solids. Ladle into mugs and garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the straining step to avoid biting into whole cloves. Watch your heat—a gentle simmer is key to avoid bitterness. For a party, keep warm in a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting after straining. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, cranberry wassail, holiday drink, Christmas drink, warm beverage, spiced cider, cozy drink, homemade wassail

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/cozy-wassail-with-cranberry-and-cloves-best-homemade-holiday-drink/