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Best Slow Cooker Wassail: Easy Kid-Friendly Holiday Drink

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A warm, spiced holiday drink made in the slow cooker with apple juice, cranberry juice, and orange juice, sweetened with honey and brown sugar. Perfect for parties and family gatherings, this budget-friendly wassail is kid-approved and makes the house smell amazing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple juice (unsweetened or regular)
  • 3 cups cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
  • 2 cups orange juice (fresh squeezed or carton)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • Fresh cranberries (a handful for garnish)
  • Additional cinnamon sticks (for stirring)

Instructions

  1. Plug in your slow cooker and set it to low. If using a liner, place it in now.
  2. Pour the apple juice, cranberry juice, and orange juice into the slow cooker. Stir with a wooden spoon.
  3. Drizzle in the honey and sprinkle the brown sugar over the top. Stir gently until the honey starts to dissolve.
  4. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise. Distribute evenly.
  5. Sprinkle the ground nutmeg over the mixture.
  6. Float the orange and apple slices on top. Add a handful of fresh cranberries if desired.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
  8. When ready to serve, ladle the wassail through a mesh strainer into mugs to catch whole spices.
  9. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as needed.
  10. Keep warm on the low or warm setting while serving.

Notes

Use whole spices instead of ground to avoid cloudiness and grit. Strain before serving to catch whole cloves. The wassail tastes even better the next day. For a vegan version, substitute maple syrup for honey. Do not let the wassail boil; keep on low heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker wassail, holiday drink, kid-friendly, warm spiced drink, Christmas beverage, apple cranberry drink

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/best-slow-cooker-wassail-easy-kid-friendly-holiday-drink/