While this effortless wassail recipe is simple to make, the flavor is deep and complex with the penetrating aroma of sweet apples and ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. It'll warm you on a cold autumn day, or you can serve it for winter holidays.
Pour both the soft and hard ciders into a medium pot, and then stir in the brandy. Drop the ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, allspice, and star anise into the pot. Warm the wassail over medium heat until steaming, and then turn down the heat to low. Cover the pot, and allow it to warm at least 20 minutes before serving.
While the wassail warms on the stove. Slice an apple cross-wise into discs about ⅛-inch thick. Set them aside.
Serving wassail.
To serve, strain the wassail through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs or a serving bowl. Garnish with apple slices.
You can store prepared wassail in the fridge for up to 3 days. To serve, warm it on the stove over low heat until pleasantly hot.