Wassail Bourbon Cocktail

This wassail bourbon cocktail is warm, spiced, and boozy—just the thing to sip on when the weather cools down. The bourbon adds a smooth kick to the classic holiday flavors.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword Wassail Bourbon Cocktail

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Servings

Calories 125kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

large pot
Cocktail Shaker
spice packets or cheesecloth or coffee filter

Ingredients

Wassail:

1 (52 oz.) carton orange juice without pulp
1 (64 oz.) container apple juice
1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
2 tsps. ground cinnamon
12 whole cloves or 1 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. whole allspice or 1 tsp. ground allspice
cinnamon sticks optional garnish
star anise optional garnish
apple slices optional garnish
orange slices optional garnish

Wassail Bourbon Cocktail:

raw sugar
maple syrup
3 oz. wassail
1.5 oz. bourbon
4 dashes orange bitters
apple slice garnish
cinnamon stick

Instructions

Wassail:

In a large pot, mix the orange juice, apple juice, and lemon juice together.
1 (52 oz.) carton orange juice, 1 (64 oz.) container apple juice, 1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
In a spice packet (or use cheesecloth or a coffee filter), place the ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Secure the top and place the spice packet in the pot.
2 tsps. ground cinnamon, 12 whole cloves, 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, 1 tsp. whole allspice
Cook over low heat for 1-2 hours, or until the juice is infused with the spices and darkened in color.
This wassail can be served as is for a non-alcoholic version. Garnish each glass with anise stars, cinnamon sticks, and orange or apple slices, if desired. This is also the base for the bourbon cocktail
cinnamon sticks, star anise, apple slices, orange slices
This can be served hot. If using it in the cold cocktail, allow the wassail to cool completely first. It's best if chilled in the refrigerator for several hours.

Bourbon Cocktail:

Place the raw sugar on a small plate. Brush a little maple syrup on the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip the rim into the sugar.
raw sugar, maple syrup
In a cocktail shaker, add the wassail, bourbon, bitters, and several ice cubes. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well combined.
3 oz. wassail, 1.5 oz. bourbon, 4 dashes orange bitters
Strain into your sugar-rimmed glass filled with ice and garnish with anise stars, cinnamon sticks, and orange or apple slices, if desired.
apple slice, cinnamon stick
This drink can also be served hot! Just combine the warm wassail, bourbon, and bitters in a mug. Stir and serve.

Notes

For optimal outcomes when making this wassail bourbon cocktail, I recommend referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

Nutrition