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Perfect Slow Cooker Christmas Wassail Punch Recipe

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This slow cooker wassail punch is the perfect balance of fruity, spiced, and gently boozy (or not). It fills your house with the smell of simmering oranges and cinnamon, making it the official start of the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 2 oranges (one for juicing, one for studding with cloves)
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup brandy or dark rum (optional)
  • Fresh cranberries, a handful for floating

Instructions

  1. Prep the oranges: Take one orange and score the peel with a paring knife. Stick the whole cloves into the peel about 1/4 inch deep, spacing them evenly. Juice the second orange and set the juice aside.
  2. Combine the liquids: Pour apple cider, orange juice (both fresh and store-bought), and pineapple juice into the slow cooker. Add brown sugar and stir until it starts to dissolve.
  3. Add the spices: Drop in cinnamon sticks and whole allspice berries. Place the clove-studded orange in the center of the liquid.
  4. Add the fruit garnishes: Float thinly sliced apple rounds and fresh cranberries on top.
  5. Cook on low: Set slow cooker to low and simmer for 3 to 4 hours. The punch should be steaming hot but not boiling.
  6. Add the alcohol (optional): If using brandy or dark rum, stir it in about 15 minutes before serving.
  7. Taste and adjust: After 3 hours, taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired.
  8. Serve warm: Ladle into mugs, making sure each serving gets a few cranberries and an apple slice. Use a fine-mesh strainer if desired to catch any loose cloves.

Notes

Don’t boil the punch; keep it on low or warm. Toast spices in a dry skillet for 60 seconds before adding for more flavor. The punch tastes even better the next day. For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the brandy or rum.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail punch, slow cooker punch, Christmas punch, holiday punch, spiced cider, mulled cider

Find it online: https://evadinnerideas.com/perfect-slow-cooker-christmas-wassail-punch-recipe/