Simple Stovetop Wassail Recipe
This simple stovetop wassail recipe smells and tastes like the holidays. All of the ingredients including apple cider, orange juice, and spices are combined and simmered on the stovetop. The flavors marry together just perfectly. You will love every ladled cupful of this stovetop wassail.
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I was first introduced to wassail when I met my husband. His family prepares it every year for Christmas. The warmth and combination of spices sold me at the first sip. We started preparing it in our home during the winter holidays. We love the smell and the taste of this drink. Sometimes I will prepare it just for a night in with my family or for a Christmas party we are hosting.
I prepared this recipe for a Christmas party we were hosting and I doubled the recipe to have more servings. It was a hit! Both kids and adults loved this drink. I should mentioned that his is a non-alcoholic version of wassail.
Stovetop wassail is prepared simply by combing ingredients and simmering on the stovetop. You can then garnish the drink with sliced oranges and cinnamon sticks. I have left the wassail in the large pot on the stovetop and guests have laded it into mugs. I have also served it in a crockpot. Both ways work great to keep the wassail warm throughout a gathering!
Ingredients
- Apple cider: pick your favorite brand!
- Orange juice: I prefer one with no pulp added.
- Cinnamon sticks: they look beautiful in the finished product and add delicious flavor.
- Apple: You slice it up to simmer inside the drink.
- Whole cloves: adds the best Christmas flavor. You can also use ground cloves.
- Ginger: Only a small amount, but it makes a big difference.
- Nutmeg: Smells and tastes like the holidays!
- Brown sugar: This helps balance out the tang and the strong flavors from the spices.
- Orange: Thinly sliced to garnish the final product.
How to make stovetop wassail
- Slice the apple into large pieces and press the whole cloves into the apple.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven pour in the apple cider, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Place the apples with the cloves inside the pot.
- Over medium heat bring to a simmer.
- Reduce to medium low heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove apples and garnish with thinly sliced oranges and additional cinnamon sticks.
Why you will love this recipe
Classic Holiday Drink: This drink tastes like the holidays. Serve it for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Years Eve.
Warm and comforting: The blend of spices and the warmth of the drink is perfect for a cold winter day.
Delicious aroma: As this drink simmers, it will make your house smell amazing.
FAQ
Substitutions
Apple cider: You can also use apple juice. If you use apple juice the drink will be sweeter and I would then omit the brown sugar.
Whole cloves: Can be swapped for ground cloves.
Orange juice: An easy substitution is pomegranate or pineapple juice.
Brown sugar: Swap out brown sugar for pure maple syrup.
When to serve wassail
Wassail is a traditional Christmas drink. Make it just for your family or double the recipe to serve at a holiday party.
Equipment needed
How to store and reheat
Allow the wassail to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to drink it. You can reheat it in in the microwave, stovetop, or the crockpot.
Tips for Success
Buy a good quality brand of apple cider and orange juice. As the main ingredients in this drink, it makes all the difference.
Don’t skip on the spices! I recommend including all the spices listed for the best and flavorful wassail.
Heat this slowly over medium heat. If you bring it to rapid boil it produces quite a bit of “foam” that you will need to scrape out at the end.
Simple Stove Wassail Recipe
Equipment
- 6-quart pot or Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 6 cups apple cider
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- 1 apple
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 8 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- 1 orange thinly sliced to garnish at the end
Instructions
- Slice the apple into 4 large pieces and press the whole cloves into the apple.
- In a 6-quart pot or Dutch oven pour in the apple cider, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Place the apples with the cloves inside the pot.
- Over medium heat bring to a simmer.
- Reduce to medium low heat and simmer for 30 – 45 minutes.
- Remove the apple slices with the cloves inside
- You can garnish the large pot of wassail with thinly sliced oranges and additional cinnamon sticks. To garnish individual mugs of wassail I like to include 1 cinnamon stick and a half of a thin slice of orange
