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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.
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.
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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.
- Crockpot apple cider: Slow-simmered, aromatic, and full of classic apple spice. An easy, hands-off way to fill your home with cozy vibes.
- 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.
Wassail Smoothie
Ingredients
- 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 ingredients to blender and blend on high-speed.
- Serve immediately. If you prefer it hot, pour into a mug and microwave.
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Add 1 cup spinach for additional fiber and nutrients without altering the flavor or texture.
- If using a high-speed blender, you can select soup mode and heat the recipe directly in blender.
- Cranberries can be blended into the smoothie or served on top.
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 🙂