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Easy Slow Cooker Wassail: Kid-Friendly Apple Cranberry Punch

slow cooker wassail - featured image
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This warm, spiced apple cranberry punch is made in the slow cooker with simple ingredients. It’s sweet enough for kids, cozy for adults, and fills your home with holiday aromas.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 4 cups cranberry juice (100% juice preferred)
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced (optional garnish)
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (optional garnish)
  • Fresh cranberries, a handful (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your spices: Measure out the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and ground nutmeg. If using a cheesecloth bundle, place whole spices in the center of a square of cheesecloth, gather edges, and tie with kitchen twine. Otherwise, add spices directly to the slow cooker.
  2. Combine the liquids: Pour apple cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice into the slow cooker. Add honey or maple syrup. Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
  3. Add the spices and fruit: Drop in cinnamon sticks and spice bundle (or loose spices). Add orange and apple slices if using. Stir gently.
  4. Set the slow cooker: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. For best flavor, use LOW setting.
  5. Check the flavor: At the 3-hour mark, taste the wassail. Adjust sweetness with more honey or maple syrup, or add another cinnamon stick for more spice.
  6. Strain and serve: Once done, turn slow cooker to WARM. If using loose spices, ladle through a mesh strainer into a pitcher or mugs. If using a cheesecloth bundle, remove and discard. Remove cinnamon sticks and large fruit slices if desired.
  7. Garnish and enjoy: Ladle warm wassail into mugs. Add fresh orange slices or cranberries for garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a smoother drink, strain out all spices and fruit before serving. The wassail tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. To make an adult version, add a splash of dark rum, bourbon, or brandy before serving. For a citrus-forward variation, swap cranberry juice for pomegranate juice and add extra orange and lemon slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, slow cooker, apple cranberry punch, kid-friendly, holiday drink, warm punch, spiced cider

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/easy-slow-cooker-wassail-kid-friendly-apple-cranberry-punch/