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Cozy Spiced Cranberry Clove Wassail

cozy spiced cranberry clove wassail - featured image
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A warm, comforting wassail made with whole cranberries, apple cider, and warming spices like clove and cinnamon. This easy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for cold evenings or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 4 cups apple cider (950 ml), preferably unfiltered
  • 1 cup orange juice (240 ml), freshly squeezed if possible
  • ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup (80 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 3 large cinnamon sticks
  • 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into rounds
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 2 whole star anise pods (optional)
  • 2 cups water (475 ml)

Instructions

  1. Combine the liquids: In a large pot, pour in the apple cider, orange juice, and water. Stir gently to combine. Place the pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the whole cranberries: Toss in the entire 12 ounces of cranberries—no chopping, no slicing, just straight into the pot. Stir them in so they’re evenly distributed.
  3. Sweeten it up: Drizzle in the honey or maple syrup. Stir until it dissolves completely, about 30 seconds.
  4. Add the spices: Drop in the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, and star anise (if using). If using a spice bag, place everything inside and tie it closed before adding.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer: Increase the heat to medium-high and watch for small bubbles breaking the surface—not a rolling boil, just a gentle shimmer. This usually takes 5-7 minutes.
  6. Reduce heat and simmer: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Let the wassail cook uncovered for 20 minutes. The cranberries will start to pop and soften around the 10-minute mark.
  7. Check the cranberries: After 20 minutes, the cranberries should be soft and bursting. If still firm, let them go another 5 minutes.
  8. Add orange slices: Gently drop in the orange rounds. Let them warm through for 2-3 minutes. Don’t let them cook too long or they’ll become bitter.
  9. Strain the wassail: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or another pot. Carefully pour the wassail through the strainer, catching all the spices, cranberry skins, and orange slices. Press gently on the solids with a spoon to extract any remaining liquid—but don’t press too hard or you’ll get sediment.
  10. Taste and adjust: Give the strained wassail a taste. If too tart, add another tablespoon of honey. If too sweet, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice will balance it. If the spice is too mild, let a cinnamon stick steep in the warm liquid for another 5 minutes.
  11. Serve immediately: Ladle into heatproof mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh orange slice and a whole cinnamon stick.

Notes

For best results, use whole cloves instead of ground. Toasting cinnamon sticks in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding deepens the flavor. Don’t rush the simmer—20 minutes is the sweet spot for the cranberries to release their natural pectin. If making for a crowd, double the recipe but keep the spice amounts the same as they don’t scale linearly. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; flavors deepen overnight. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: wassail, cranberry, clove, spiced, holiday drink, warm beverage, apple cider, winter drink

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/cozy-spiced-cranberry-clove-wassail-easy-homemade-recipe/