Recipes for Spiced Cider & Wassail

I love to drink spiced cider in the fall even more than hot chocolate. Here are a few of my favorite recipes that range from quick and easy to slow simmered. All are super yummy! These can be made ahead, refrigerated, then re-heated before serving.

Wassail (pictured above)

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider

1 quart orange juice

1 quart pineapple juice (unsweetened)

1 c. lemon juice

1 c. sugar (or you can do 1/2 cup granulated sugar & 1/2 cup brown sugar)

24 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

Mix all ingredients and simmer in a crockpot for 2-3 hours. Before serving, remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks with a strainer. You can also speed this up by making it in a pot on the stove, but be careful not to boil it - just keep it at a low simmer.

Spiced Apple Cider

2 quarts apple juice or apple cider

1/3 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. whole allspice

1 tsp. whole cloves

2-3 cinnamon sticks

In a large pot, bring to boil. Simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Remove spices and serve warm.

Easiest Spiced Cider

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider

1 cup red hots candy

Heat this mixture in a crock pot or in a pot over the stove. Watch and stir the mixture often until the red hots are thoroughly melted so that they don't burn or stick to the pan.

Hot Cider

(Made with ground rather than whole spices)

1 gallon apple juice or apple cider

3-4 cups lemon-lime soda

4 cups orange juice

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 cup brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in a large pot or crockpot and heat on medium heat. Simmer, stirring often, until heated through. Can garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks if desired. Stir well before serving.