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Wassail holiday punch… yeah, if you’ve never had it, you’re probably missing out on the single coziest winter sip out there. You know when it’s freezing, your hands are numb, and you’ve got guests blundering through the front door with red noses? Crock Pot Wassail Punch (Old-Fashioned Holiday Sipper) is a no-fuss magic trick for that—warm, spicy, smells like the holidays. If you don’t want to stand over a pot and stir, here’s your solution. Bonus points? Your whole house is about to smell like a five-star winter lodge.

What is Wassail?

So, wassail isn’t just a funny word from old movies or Christmas songs. This spicy, fruity drink started as a medieval “cheers” (I know, wild) and somehow morphed into the ultimate holiday hug-in-a-mug. Traditionally, people served wassail at Christmas feasts or big winter get-togethers—a way to keep warm, feel festive, and honestly get a little tipsy if the mood called for it. Some folks argue about the fruit juice combo or whether to spike it, but let’s not overcomplicate a good thing. My grandpa called it “liquid gold.” It’s basically a mix of apple cider, citrus, cozy spices, and sometimes, a splash of the strong stuff if that’s your jam. Trust me, around here (midwest born and bred), it comes out faster than ugly sweaters at a Christmas party.

“So easy and smells so good. My family started requesting this crock pot wassail instead of hot chocolate!” — Tracy P.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright. You could make this all fancy, but here’s what you really need for a classic crock pot wassail punch:

Apple cider (the good, cloudy stuff if you can swing it)
Orange juice
Pineapple juice (don’t blink, it works)
Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves (watch your teeth, though)
Star anise (looks cool, tastes even cooler)
Fresh orange (sliced, for that wow factor)
Granny Smith apple (also sliced)
Little bit of brown sugar (if you want it sweeter)
Rum or brandy (totally optional, but hey, it’s the holidays)

That’s pretty much it. See? Barely anything tricky, and most can be found at any grocery store in December. I usually snag a couple extra cinnamon sticks for looks.

Steps for Crock Pot Brewing

First, yank out that trusty slow cooker. I mean, why do stovetop when you could be catching up with your cousins? Here’s the super simple breakdown:

Start by tossing in your apple cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice. (If you want stronger flavor, bump up the pineapple a smidge—I swear it makes it taste more “holiday.”) Now, drop in your whole spices, sliced orange, and sliced apple. Give it all a good stir. Set your crock pot to LOW; let that beauty simmer 3-4 hours. House will smell like a cinnamon candle factory—no kidding.

If you’re feeling fancy you can stud the orange slices with cloves before adding them. Squeeze a little fresh orange juice in last if you want more zing. Near the end, taste it see if you want that little bit of brown sugar melted in. Thinking about alcohol? Hold off adding it until it’s done simmering! (Trust me, it just evaporates if you’re not careful.)

Now, don’t forget to dip in every hour and give everything a good poke with a spoon so those flavors make friends.

Serving in a Drink Station

If you wanna take crock pot wassail punch from “cool” to “everyone’s talking about it next year,” set up a drink station. I tried this at our ugly sweater bash and it felt five-star.

Set up your slow cooker right in the middle (keeps it warm, and people know where to find it).
Put out stacks of sturdy mugs or those fun insulated cups, for the folks who wander.
Have a little bowl of extra orange/apple slices and cinnamon sticks to jazz up each mug.
Offer a small bottle of rum/brandy on the side so guests can spike it if they want (absolutely zero judgment!).

My favorite move? Add a festive sign like, “Sip Me! Stave Off the Chill.” It makes people giggle and pulls them straight to the drink table.

How to Store or Reheat

So—the party wound down and there’s still some crock pot wassail punch staring at you? Happens every time here. Pour the leftover punch carefully into a big mason jar or whatever pitcher you’ve got on hand. Store it in the fridge, and don’t stress, it keeps just fine for 4 or 5 days.

Want to reheat? If it’s just a cup, use the microwave. For a crowd, throw it back in the crock pot on LOW and let it warm up slow. Stir now and then. Voila—instant hospitality. Reinvent leftovers by adding a splash to black tea. (Try it, not kidding.)

(By the way… you can find more cozy drinks to stash in the fridge, like Crock Pot Gingerbread Latte, over on the blog.)

Party Add-Ins (Alcohol or Not)

Alright, look—this part is super flexible. Some people want a little old-school kick and some just want to sip something warm and sweet. My game plan is always “let guests decide.” If you want to booze it up in the crock pot, add your rum, brandy, or bourbon after the heating is done. Or! Set out a bottle, and let folks dash in what they fancy.

Kids or non-drinkers around? No problem at all. Wassail holiday punch is naturally alcohol-free, so everyone gets in on the cheer. If you want extra flavor without spirits, try a splash of cranberry juice or even a stick of extra cinnamon. It’s still a hit. I usually tell folks it’s got all the nostalgia and none of the headache in the morning.

To make your gathering even more fun, swing over to my collection of holiday party recipes for more crowd-pleasers.

Common Questions

Is this the same as mulled cider?
Close, but not exactly. Wassail holiday punch is like mulled cider’s flashier cousin—a little more citrus, sometimes pineapple, and those spices hit different.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yep! You can brew it the night before, stash it in the fridge, and reheat when you need. It’s actually a little better on day two if you ask me.

What’s the best way to serve a big group?
Honestly, right from the crock pot. Set up your drink station and let guests serve themselves. Nobody loves cold punch, so keeping it warm’s the trick.

Does it smell as good as it tastes?
Yes. No, really. The scent will hit you about an hour in. Don’t be surprised if people poke their heads in and ask “What on earth is that?”

Can I add other spices?
Sure! A pinch of cardamom or even some ginger goes great. Find what works for you.

Warm Sips, Happy Gatherings

So there you have it—crock pot wassail punch is the old-fashioned holiday sipper that’ll blow boring party drinks out of the water. It’s easy, makes your house smell drool-worthy, and you can tweak to your heart’s content. Whether you’re wrangling a big crowd or just a few, this is one recipe everyone raves about (seriously, it beats cocoa hands-down). You can check out more unique holiday cozy drinks like Holiday Candy Cane Hot Cocoa or Slow Cooker Mulled Cider for your next shindig. Want an official version? The Wassail Punch Recipe is worth a peek too. Anyway, if you try this, treat yourself to a second mug. You earned it.

Lila Morrison
Hi, I’m Lila! Southern home cook raised in Mississippi, now near Nashville. I share cozy, slow-cooked meals inspired by my grandma’s kitchen simple, soulful, and full of love.

Crock Pot Wassail Punch (Old-Fashioned Holiday Sipper)