Homemade Holiday Wassail (Recipe)

Although this isn't a traditional wassail because it doesn't contain ale or wine, it's a terrific recipe that we've referred to by that name for years.  A colleague gave me this recipe, and it's a spiced drink I've serve at holiday parties over the years with great success.  Using the slow cooker makes it bassle-free and easy on the hostess as no tending is required.  You can spike it with rum or brandy, if you wish.

Ingredients

6 cups apple juice

1 (32 ounce) container cranberry-raspberry juice cocktail or cranberry juice cocktail

1 (6 ounce) cam frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups water

4 (2 1/2 to 3 inch) cinnamon sticks

1 orange, cut into 4 horizontal slices

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 tablespoon Angostura bitters

2 cups rum (optional)

Steps

1.  In a 6 quart electric slow cooker, combine the apple juice, cranberry raspberry juice, undiluted orange juice concentrate, undiluted lemonade, sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, orange slices studded with the cloves, and bitters.

2.  Cover and cook on the low heat setting 6 to 7 hours.  Just before serving, stir in the rum, if desired.  Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks and orange slices with cloves.  Serve hot in mugs or heatproof punch cups.  Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat in a microwave oven or serve chilled.