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Cozy Wassail: 5-Ingredient Spiced Apple Cider

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A warm, spiced apple cider made with simple pantry staples and fresh aromatics. This non-alcoholic beverage is perfect for cozy evenings, offering complex flavor without being overly sweet or complicated.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups Apple Cider (fresh, unfiltered preferred)
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 large Orange (sliced into rounds)
  • 2–3 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 6–8 Whole Cloves
  • 1 teaspoon Whole Allspice Berries
  • 1 Star Anise pod (optional)
  • 1-inch piece Fresh Ginger (sliced or crushed)
  • 2–3 tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange thoroughly and slice it into thin rounds, removing seeds. Peel and slice or crush the fresh ginger to release juices.
  2. Pour the apple cider and water into a large pot. Add the orange slices, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, star anise, and sweeteners (brown sugar/maple syrup). Stir gently to combine.
  3. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Do not let it boil. Once small bubbles form around the edges, reduce heat to low.
  4. Simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes to allow spices to infuse. Taste and adjust sweetness or strength by adding water or sugar if needed.
  5. Turn off the heat. Strain the wassail through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs or a pitcher to remove solids. Serve immediately while hot, garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice.

Notes

Avoid boiling the spices as it can make the drink bitter; keep heat low and slow. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 2-3 hours. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months (without orange slices). For an alcoholic version, add a splash of rum or bourbon to each mug.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, spiced apple cider, fall drinks, winter beverages, non-alcoholic, cozy recipes, holiday drinks, apple cider recipe

Find it online: https://grubella.com/cozy-wassail-5-ingredient-spiced-apple-cider/