Home > Christmas cocktail recipes > Tipsy Christmas wassail (mulled cider)

Tipsy Christmas wassail (mulled cider)

Name: Tipsy Christmas wassail (mulled cider)
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: For lots of people (makes 3.25 litres)
Cuisine: British recipes
Ingredients: 5 x 500ml bottles dark ale (not stout); 1 bottle (75cl) Madeira; 2 lemons, sliced; 1 cinnamon stick; 5 cloves; 5 tbsp soft light brown sugar

Published: 31 Dec 11
Updated: 18 Mar 24

This sweetly spiced mulled cider is quick and easy to make for a crowd – it will also go down a treat as you decorate the Christmas tree.

Want the bonhomie without the booze? Try this non-alcoholic mulled wine.

Easy
January 2012

Test kitchen approved

For lots of people (makes 3.25 litres)
Ready in 15 minutes

This sweetly spiced mulled cider is quick and easy to make for a crowd – it will also go down a treat as you decorate the Christmas tree.

Want the bonhomie without the booze? Try this non-alcoholic mulled wine.

Nutrition: Per 250ml Serving

Calories: 146kcals
Fat: nil
Protein: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 14.3g (14g sugars)
Fibre: nil
Salt: 0.1g

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Ingredients

5 x 500ml bottles dark ale (not stout)
1 bottle (75cl) Madeira
2 lemons, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
5 cloves
5 tbsp soft light brown sugar

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Method

Put the ale, Madeira, lemons and spices in a large pan and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the brown sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, tasting until it is sweetened to your liking.
Heat very gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse, then serve warm.

Recipe from January 2012 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 146kcals
Fat: nil
Protein: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 14.3g (14g sugars)
Fibre: nil
Salt: 0.1g

delicious. tips

This recipe makes a lot, which is ideal if you’re having a crowd of guests over, or you can halve the quantity for a smaller number. The slightly bitter taste of the ale is counterbalanced by the sweet Madeira, so even those who don’t like beer will find the potion irresistible.