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Cranberry Orange Holiday Wassail

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  • Prep 20 min
  • Total 4 hr 20 min
  • Ingredients 11
  • Servings 8
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For many years I worked in retail, and during the holidays we would prepare a large crockpot of spiced cider wassail. There's something special about warm herbal drinks that get you in the holiday spirit. For this recipe, I added fresh fruits and spiced it up with cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves. The resulting aroma is warm and inviting, perfect for the holiday season.
by Sonia Mendez Garcia
Updated Sep 24, 2015
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 gallon apple cider
  • 3 large oranges
  • 5 orange spice tea bags
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, plus more for garnish
  • 1 pear, chopped
  • 1 Macintosh apple
  • 5 star anise, plus more for garnish
  • 2 large Mexican cinnamon sticks, broken into smaller pieces, plus more for garnish
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 1/2 cup agave syrup or honey

Directions

  •  
    1
    Pour the apple cider into a medium size crockpot, and set to low.
  •  
    2
    Using a peeler or small sharp knife, peel the skin off of 2 oranges and add the zest to the crockpot. Juice the oranges right into the cider, then add the remaining pulp as well
  •  
    3
    Slice the third orange and reserve for garnishing the wassail.
  •  
    4
    Add all the remaining ingredients, turn the crockpot to the high setting and continue cooking for 4 hours.
  •  
    5
    Stir now and then, tasting for spice and sweetness.
  •  
    6
    When ready to serve, strain the wassail and add it back to the crockpot. Keep it warm on the low setting.
  •  
    7
    Serve warm and garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, star anise and a few pomegranate seeds.

Expert Tips

  • tip 1
    This recipe can also be prepared on the stovetop in a large pot. Make sure you stir often so the sugars in the cider don't burn at the bottom. Let cool at room temperature before storing in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Nutrition Information

No nutrition information available for this recipe

More About This Recipe

  • For many years I worked in retail, and during the holidays we would prepare a large crockpot of spiced cider wassail. There's something special about warm herbal drinks that get you in the holiday spirit. For this recipe, I added fresh fruits and spiced it up with cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves. The resulting aroma is warm and inviting, perfect for the holiday season.
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