Simmering Holiday Magic: Homemade Wassail Punch (Two Ways!)
Discover the magic of winter wassail punch, a cherished holiday beverage that combines apple cider, pineapple juice, cranberries, and aromatic spices. Whether served hot from the slow cooker or as a sparkling punch, this versatile drink brings warmth and joy to any gathering.
Making wassail punch is one of our most treasured holiday traditions, filling our home with the inviting aroma of mulled spices and fresh citrus. I love how this simple drink transforms ordinary moments into magical memories, whether we’re hosting friends for dinner or enjoying a quiet family night with puzzles by the fireplace. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility—serve it piping hot from the slow cooker for cozy evenings at home, or dress it up with champagne for elegant holiday gatherings.
And there is just something so comforting about warm drinks in the winter! A Cinnamon Dolce Latte or maybe some Homemade Hot Cocoa are perfect when it’s old out. I’m also partial to a Homemade Chai Latte!
What Is Winter Wassail Punch?
Winter wassail punch is a traditional holiday beverage that dates back centuries, combining the sweet warmth of apple cider with bright citrus juices and aromatic mulling spices. This comforting drink features a harmonious blend of apple cider, pineapple juice, and fresh orange juice, enhanced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and other warming spices. Whether served hot from the crock pot or chilled with a splash of champagne, wassail punch embodies the festive spirit of the holiday season.
The best part is that you can make it hot or cold! Try a beautiful punch version with cranberries on ice or a warm, hot toddy version with lemon and apples.
Why Make This Winter Wassail Punch?
This winter wassail punch recipe is a game-changer for holiday entertaining, offering both traditional and sparkling variations that suit any occasion. The slow cooker method makes it incredibly easy to prepare, filling your home with inviting aromas while you focus on enjoying time with loved ones. Plus, the recipe can be easily scaled up for larger gatherings or simplified for intimate family evenings.
- Perfect for entertaining: Prep it in advance and let your slow cooker do the work while you mingle with guests.
- Versatile serving options: Enjoy it hot and cozy or dressed up with champagne for special occasions.
- Customizable recipe: Adjust the spices and sweetness to your taste, and choose between essential oils or traditional spices.
- Makes your home smell amazing: It creates an instantly festive atmosphere with its natural holiday fragrance.
- Family-friendly option: Easily adapt it for both adults and children with non-alcoholic variations.
Winter Wassail Punch Ingredients
Simple Winter Wassail Punch:
- Apple cider: You can also use apple juice and add some extra mulling spices!
- Pineapple juice
- Cranberry juice: This is optional, but we like to add it when we make a cold punch because it adds the loveliest dark red color to the punch bowl. It’s so festive!
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice: These spices mull together with the fruit juices to create a spicy but sweet flavor.
- Cinnamon sticks, dried cloves, star anise: These add another depth of flavor to the punch and look so lovely sitting atop the drink!
- Orange slices, lemon slices, fresh cranberries, apple slices to garnish: Slice the fruit into circles, so that they will float on top of the liquid.
Winter Wassail Champagne Punch (champagne optional):
- Apple cider
- Orange or cranberry juice: We like the sugar-free cranberry juice because we typically add ginger ale to our punch for a sparkling twist. If you want it a bit sweeter, you can use cranberry juice cocktail.
- Pineapple juice
- Cinnamon and other mulling spices
- Champagne or ginger ale: This adds a fun, festive twist with sparkling bubbles! You can also use your favorite sparkling water for a lower-sugar option.
- Garnish: frozen cranberries, whole cloves, orange and lemon slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks.
Winter Wassail Punch Variations
- Non-alcoholic festive version: Top with Cran-Orange LaCroix, ginger ale, or Trader Joe’s Winter Sangria sparkling water instead of champagne.
- Quick-prep version: Use apple juice and spices for an easy weeknight variation.
- Mix it up: Use various citrus juices and fresh citrus for a different taste. Cranberry grapefruit, orange ginger (add some candied ginger!), or cardamom fig would be great as well!
Simple Winter Wassail
This homemade wassail is perfect for holiday gatherings! Make it on the stove or in your slow cooker and serve up in mugs with cinnamon sticks. It is a delicious, festive drink!
Ingredients
- Apple juice, about 3/4 of a bottle
- Pineapple juice, about 2 cups
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 10 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving
- 3 star anise pods
- Orange slices, lemon slices, fresh cranberries, apple slices to garnish
Instructions
To make as a hot beverage:
- Fill a slow cooker, about 3/4 full with the juices, then add all the spices and stir. Top with fresh orange slices (about 1 orange).
- Allow the wassail to simmer on high for an hour or on low for 2-3 hours before serving. If it sits longer, just make sure it isn't getting too hot.
- Just before serving, add extra orange slices, apples, cranberries, etc., to garnish!
To make as a sparkling punch:
- Place your juices in the fridge the night before you want to have the punch. Then combine the juices in a punch bowl and stir in the ground spices.
- Add a bottle of chilled champagne or ginger ale for a sparkling tiwst, then top with whole spices and allow to sit for about an hour before serving.
- Garnish the cups and/or punch bowl with frozen cranberries, apple and orange slices, cinnamon sticks. etc.
Notes
- Slice your apples in rounds instead of in wedges so they are lighter and will float on top of the punch, They look lovely like this!
- For another festive twist, you can freeze cranberries, lemon slices, and orange slices in a large ice cube mold. Place into individual galsses or into the punch itself for a lovely garnish!
- To use essneitla oils in place of the spices, use the following and adjust to your preferred taste:
10 drops Orange or Tangerine Vitality Essential oil
5 drops Lemon Vitality Essential oil
5 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality Essential oil
3 drops Clove Vitality Essential oil
2 drops Nutmeg Vitality Essential oil
1 drop Ginger Vitality Essential oil
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Winter Wassail Punch
Make a sparkling version of wassail with this punch! dd ginger ale, sparkling water, or even champagne for an elevated punch for your holiday gatherings!
Ingredients
- Apple cider or juice, about 3/4 of a bottle
- Pineapple juice, about 2 cups
- Cranberry juice cocktail, about 1/2 of a bottle
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 10 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving
- 3 star anise pods
- Orange slices, lemon slices, fresh cranberries, apple slices to garnish
- One chilled bottle of champagne or ginger ale
- Optional: frozen cranberries for serving
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine apple juice or cider, pineapple juice, orange juice, essential oils, cinnamon sticks, citrus peel, and cloves (if used). Let simmer for about one hour, stirring occasionally.
- Allow to cool, then remove the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel. Pour the wassail into a pitcher and refrigerate to cool.
- When serving a small amount, pour the wassail mixture into a glass and fill it about half full. Top with champagne, or for a non-alcoholic version, add ginger ale, Cran-Orange LaCroix or Trader Joe’s Winter Sangria sparkling water! Garnish with orange slices or cranberries if you’re feeling fancy!
- Alternatively, pour the wassail into a bowl, add the ginger ale or champagene and garnish with frozen cranberries, orange slices, star anise, etc.
- To serve in a punch powl or large container, simply combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher, and refridgerate overnight to allow the spices to infuse. Strain them out in the morning, garnish with frozen cranberries, fresh orange slices, etc.
Notes
- You cam make this variaition and serve it hot, too—just stop before after the second step or use a slow cooker for the entire process. You can easily prep this at home and take it to a gathering as well!
- For a low-sugar version, use sparkling water instead of ginger ale or champagne.
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