Crockpot Christmas Wassail – The Schmidty Wife: Crockpot Christmas Wassail Recipe The Schmidty Wife

My Cozy Crockpot Secret

Hello, my dear. Come sit a spell. Let’s talk about my favorite holiday drink. It’s called wassail. I make it in my old crockpot. The whole house fills with a sweet, spicy smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

I love this recipe. It is so simple. You just pour everything in and let it get warm. No fancy steps. The crockpot does all the work for you. This matters because holidays are busy. You deserve a warm drink without any fuss.

A Little Story for You

I first made this for my book club. It was a cold December night. I was so nervous. Would they like it? Well, they drank the whole pot! I still laugh at that. Now they ask for it every year.

That night taught me something. Sharing warm food brings people together. It starts conversations. That is the real magic of the holidays. What is your favorite drink to share with friends?

Why These Ingredients Matter

Let’s look at what goes in. Apple cider is the sweet base. Orange and lemon juice make it bright. Tea gives it a cozy depth. Honey makes it just right.

The spices are the stars. Cloves and cinnamon sticks. They float in the pot. They make the whole room feel like a hug. Fun fact: The word “wassail” is very old. It was a toast meaning “be in good health!”

Making Your Wassail

Get your crockpot. Add the cider, juices, and honey. Stir it well. You don’t want the honey hiding at the bottom. Then drop in the cloves and cinnamon sticks.

Now put the lid on. Let it simmer on low for hours. The waiting is the best part. The smell gets better and better. Do you like your drinks more sweet or more tart?

The Perfect Serving Touch

When it’s ready, I add thin apple and orange slices. They float on top. It looks so pretty. Keep your crockpot on the warm setting. Let people serve themselves.

This matters because it’s not just a drink. It’s a centerpiece. It tells everyone to relax and stay awhile. What other fruits would you float in your wassail? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Apple cider	8 cups (1/2 gallon)
Prepared rooibos or black tea	2 cups
Orange juice	2 cups
Fresh lemon juice	1/2 cup
Honey	1/4 cup
Whole cloves	1 heaping teaspoon
Cinnamon sticks	2

My Cozy Crockpot Christmas Wassail

Hello, my dear! Come sit by the counter. Let’s make my favorite holiday drink. It’s called Wassail. The smell fills your whole house with joy. It reminds me of my own grandma’s kitchen. She always had a pot simmering for visitors. I still smile thinking of it.

This recipe is so simple. You just let your crockpot do the work. Your job is to enjoy the wonderful smells. Doesn’t that sound lovely? Here is exactly how we make it together.

Step 1: Get out your big crockpot. Pour in the apple cider first. I love the sound of it glugging in. Next, add the tea, orange juice, and lemon juice. Now, drizzle in the honey. Give it all a good stir with a wooden spoon. (A hard-learned tip: Stir well now so the honey doesn’t stick and burn on the bottom later!).

Step 2: Now for the magic! Drop in the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Those whole cloves look like little tiny nails, don’t they? They make the flavor so warm and special. I always give the pot one more gentle stir. Then you just put the lid on. It’s like tucking the drink in for a nap.

Step 3: Turn your crockpot to LOW for 5-6 hours. Or use HIGH for 2-3 if you’re in a hurry. Then walk away! The hardest part is waiting. Soon, a sweet, spicy smell will drift through your rooms. It tells everyone something good is coming. What holiday smell makes you the happiest? Share below!

Step 4: When it’s time to serve, you can make it pretty. Slice a few apples and oranges very thin. Float them right on top of the wassail in the pot. They look so festive. Ladle the warm drink into mugs. Keep the crockpot on WARM so friends can have seconds. My grandkids always do!

Cook Time: 5-6 hours on low
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Drink, Holiday

Fun Twists on Our Wassail

Once you know the basic recipe, you can play! Here are three fun ideas I’ve tried over the years. Each one gives the wassail a different personality. It’s fun to change it up.

Berry Merry: Add a cup of cranberry juice. It turns the color a deep ruby red and adds a little tartness.

Ginger Zing: Toss in a few thin slices of fresh ginger root. It gives the drink a lovely, spicy little kick that wakes up your taste buds.

Vanilla Dream: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract at the very end. It makes the whole drink smell like a cozy Christmas cookie.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Wassail with Style

This drink is a party all by itself. But I love to make it feel extra special. For a pretty garnish, stick a cinnamon stick in each mug. It looks nice and works as a stirrer too. You could also set out a small bowl of extra orange slices for people to add.

This wassail pairs beautifully with simple cookies. Think shortbread or ginger snaps. For a drink pairing, a dry white wine goes well for the grown-ups. For the kids, I’d serve sparkling apple cider in fancy glasses. It feels like a celebration. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Wassail Warm and Welcoming

Let’s talk about storing this cozy drink. You can keep it in the fridge for four days. Just use a big jar with a lid. I once made a double batch for a snowy weekend. It was so nice to have it ready.

I do not recommend freezing wassail. The fruit juices can separate and get watery. Batch cooking is perfect for this recipe. Simply double everything in your big crockpot. This matters because it gives you more time with guests.

Reheating is easy. Pour what you need into a pot. Warm it gently on the stove. You can also use the crockpot on low again. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Wassail Worries

Is your wassail too sweet or too tart? Taste it at the end. You can add a squeeze of lemon or a spoon of honey. I remember when my grandson added too much lemon. We just stirred in more cider to fix it.

Worried about the cloves? Tie them in a little cheesecloth pouch. This stops them from floating in your cup. It makes serving much nicer. Getting the flavor right matters. It makes everyone feel cared for.

Is the honey stuck at the bottom? Stir well when you first mix it. Stir again after an hour of cooking. This helps the flavors blend perfectly. Confidence grows when you know these easy fixes. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Wassail Questions, Answered

Q: Is this drink gluten-free? A: Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make it the day before and reheat it.

Q: What if I don’t have rooibos tea? A: Any black tea works great. Or use more apple cider.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Yes, just cut all the ingredients in half.

Q: Any fun extras? A: A splash of cranberry juice gives a pretty pink color. *Fun fact: Wassail comes from an old English toast meaning “be well!”* Which tip will you try first?

Share Your Cozy Kitchen Moments

I hope your home fills with the smell of spices. This wassail is more than a drink. It is a warm hug in a mug. I love seeing your family traditions.

Please share your own kitchen stories with me. Did you add a special twist? I would love to see your photos. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.