This post may contain affiliate links.
Wassail practically screams cozy holidays—warm mugs, citrusy spice, and that comforting apple-cider aroma filling the kitchen. But traditional wassail drink is mostly juice, which means it’s missing fiber and can lead to a quick blood sugar spike. This blended warm smoothie version keeps all the flavors we love while adding whole fruit for vital fiber, helping your body slow things down, feel more satisfied, and truly enjoy every festive sip.
Craving something comforting on a chilly day? My Golden Milk is warm and soothing, and a mug of Crockpot Apple Cider makes the whole house smell like fall. For even more ways to sip through autumn, check out my non-alcoholic fall drinks.
Table of Contents
Why I Love this Wassail Smoothie
- It’s a cozy spin on classic wassail that uses whole fruits, adding fiber and making it more filling than cider alone.
- The warm spices create nostalgic flavor while still feeling light, refreshing, and easy to sip.
- It comes together in minutes and feels festive without being heavy or overly sweet.
Free 5-Day Soup Challenge
To celebrate this cozy season, we’re cooking up a fall-inspired soup each day—packed with veggies, perfect for busy nights, and every bowl you make is a chance to win $750 in prizes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Apple cider: Choose a cider with a short ingredient list and no added sugars when possible. Warm it gently before blending to keep the smoothie cozy.
- Apple: Peel and core before blending for a smoother texture. Green apples are a low-sugar fruit, while red apples are sweeter. Pick the type you prefer (or have on hand).
- Orange: Peel completely and remove any seeds to avoid bitterness. Fresh oranges add bright, natural sweetness. I like cara cara or navel oranges for this smoothie.
- Fresh ginger root: A small piece goes a long way. Peel the skin and adjust to taste if you’re sensitive to spice.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and that classic wassail flavor.
- Ground cloves: Just a pinch brings depth and holiday spice without overpowering the drink.
- Cranberries (optional): Fresh or frozen both work. Add them for a tart pop and extra fiber.
Wassail Drink Recipe Tips
- Add 1/2 cup fresh spinach or 1/4 cup cauliflower to the blender to add more fiber.
- Make a triple batch and keep leftovers in the fridge for 2 days and warm it up as needed. It’s especially great when you’re having a hard time getting going in the morning—breakfast is already made!
- If you’re using one of my recommended blenders for smoothies, you can even heat the wassail directly in the blender using “soup mode.”
How to Make Wassail Smoothie
Warm the apple cider first so the smoothie stays cozy when blended. Add the warmed cider, apple, orange, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cranberries (if using) to your blender. Blend on high until completely smooth. Serve right away, or pour into a mug and gently reheat if you prefer it extra warm.
More Holiday Recipes
- Orange cranberry smoothie: Bright, tangy, and refreshing with a balance of citrus sweetness and cranberry zip. A great way to wake up your taste buds.
- Pomegranate cranberry relish: Tart, juicy, and vibrant with bold holiday flavor. Perfect as a fresh, fruity side or topping.
- Warm chai smoothie: Creamy, gently spiced, and comforting with cozy chai flavor. A nourishing smoothie that’s perfect for chilly mornings.
- Homemade hot chocolate: Rich, smooth, and deeply chocolatey with simple, wholesome ingredients. A comforting treat you can enjoy any time using non-dairy milk.
If you make this wassail smoothie recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Warm Wassail Smoothie
Jen HansardIngredients
- 1 cup apple cider warmed
- ½ apple peeled and cored
- ½ orange peeled
- ¼ inch ginger root
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch ground cloves
- ¼ cup cranberries optional
Instructions
- Add the warm apple cider, apple, orange, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cranberries, if using, to a blender. Blend on high until smooth.
- Serve immediately. For a hotter drink, pour into a mug and microwave until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Blender Tip: Start blending on low with the lid vented, since the cider is warm. With a high-speed blender that has a soup setting, you can heat it right in the blender.
- Add Greens: Blend in 1 cup spinach or another mild leafy green; you’ll barely taste it.
- Serving Ideas: Blend the cranberries in or scatter them on top. A cinnamon stick makes a nice garnish.
- Storing: Keep leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake, then rewarm gently on the stove or enjoy it chilled.
Nutrition
Love my recipes?
Let me plan your week!
Dinner decided, grocery list done. 750+ ad-free recipe library and live coaching calls included.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
This is amazing. So delicious and comforting on a very cold morning
This was the perfect warm smoothie for this chilly morning. Thanks!
Yum! This is my first warm smoothie and it’s a keeper! Spicy, tangy, cozy!
I’ve never heard of a wassail, but the photos are def drawing me in. Honestly, it looks like a warm apple cider smoothie and that sounds amazing! I read through the ingredients and i was just curious if you think it’s better to use apple cider of apple juice.
You can use either but your smoothie will have a richer taste if you use apple cider. 🙂
Just when I was ready to say it was too cold for a smoothie, I found this recipe. It is genius! (And delicious!) Thanks for saving the day. And it reminded me of a cold remedy made for me by a juice bartender with steamed orange and lemon juices with ginger. I’ll add those to greens next time I’m cold.
Hi Lori,
YAY! As the weather turned frigid we heard a lot from our community that it was getting too cold for a chilly green smoothie in the morning. We love hearing your love for this recipe! Thanks for taking the time to reach out + let us know!
Cheers 🙂