Start your slow cooker or crockpot and serve a warm, spicy crockpot winter Wassail punch that is festive with minimal effort. Add bourbon or rum for holiday “spirit.”
Percolator Punch
Everyone needs a good punch recipe and this one is a doozy! I had never heard of Percolator Punch before moving to Georgia but I am not so old that I don’t know what a percolator is.
Nowadays everyone has one of those single cup coffee makers but I have a coffee maker that brews 60 cups of coffee. That is perfect for making a large batch of Percolator Punch but not convenient for everyone.
Know what is convenient for everyone? A Crockpot. Just about everyone has a crockpot or slow cooker. At least I know more people have a crockpot than a 60 cup coffee percolator. Let’s get back to the punch!
Just take me to the Wassail – Percolator Punch Recipe Already!
If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious easy Crockpot Winter Wassail Punch recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
Wassail Spiced Punch
This Percolator Punch, which I later found out is very similar to Wassail. Have you heard of Wassail before? Wassail, Percolator Punch, Crock Pot Punch, and Mulled Cider are all very similar. Punches made from wine or juice that are heated with a spice mix and occasionally dried fruit. It is usually served around Christmas time or during the Winter holidays.
These spices are called “Mulling Spices” and usually consist of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Sometimes star anise, cardamom, and whole peppercorns. My version of Wassail, or Percolator Punch, has a simplified spice mix because I like to highlight the fruit flavors from the juices. Another great punch of mine to try is my Pumpkin Apple Punch!
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Party Punches for the Crockpot
My version of Wassail is the perfect party punch to make in the crockpot because a 60 cup coffee maker is not convenient. Listen to how easy it is! Just combine the cranberry, apple, and pineapple juices in the crockpot. A little brown sugar makes it sweeter so I add some of that too! Next comes the mulling spices.
Whole cinnamon sticks, whole allspice, and whole cloves are placed in a spice bag. Because we are not running it through a coffee maker where the spices are placed in the filter basket, we need to contain the spices. No one wants a whole clove floating in their punch cup, much less in their mouth!
Put everything in the crockpot or slow cooker. This recipe makes over 5 quarts so make sure you have a large enough slow cooker. I use a 7 quart one like this. Place everything in the crockpot and turn it on high for 2 hours. Be sure to give it a stir every 15 minutes to make sure the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the 2 hours are up, turn the temperature to low and serve.
If you would like to make this punch with even more “holiday spirit” add a little bourbon or rum to your glass before you add the Wassail.
Enjoy Responsibly!
FAQ about Wassail Spiced Punch:
Q: Can Wassail be served cold? A: Yes you can! Wassail is traditionally served hot, but you can serve it cold or room temperature as well.
Q: Can you make Wassail ahead of time and reheat it? A: Yes you can. You can mix it up to 3 days ahead of time and heat it when you are ready to serve.
Q: What is Wassail and what does it mean? A: Wassail is a traditional spiced ale that is consumed around Christmas time. The word comes from a greeting or a traditional “toast” that translates to “be in good health.”
Q: Is there a mix available? A: There is a packaged mix of dried spices that you can purchase to make it easier but I prefer to mix my own spices to make sure they are of good quality and potency.
Q: Why is this called a Percolator Punch? A: The original recipe that I have for this is for making it in a coffee percolator. The spices are placed in the filter basket and the punch is circulated over them like when brewing coffee.
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Would you say that it’s not good to let the alcohol simmer all day? I’m making this for an adults only party, so it would be much more convenient for me to just add the alcohol right to the crockpot….
I could also do that right before serving. Do you have any advice for how much to add?
This is a great no-fuss punch for entertaining, and the flavors continue to enhance as the ingredients meld together. Thanks for sharing this festive punch!
Constance Carter says
This was really great and easy. Thank you.
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net says
So glad you liked it!
Addison says
Would you say that it’s not good to let the alcohol simmer all day? I’m making this for an adults only party, so it would be much more convenient for me to just add the alcohol right to the crockpot….
I could also do that right before serving. Do you have any advice for how much to add?
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net says
You can add right before serving. I would add 3/4 to 1 ounce per serving you have in the pot. Happy holidays!
Madi says
This sounds like such a cozy drink! Perfect for a Christmas party!
Michaela Kenkel says
I absolutely love warm cocktails like this one!! The way you did the lemon slices with the cloves? So pretty!!
Sandra Shaffer says
This is a great no-fuss punch for entertaining, and the flavors continue to enhance as the ingredients meld together. Thanks for sharing this festive punch!