Cozy Holiday Fruit Drink Recipes

Ahh, the holiday season—there’s no better time to curl up with a mug of something warm. Whether you’re settling in for a plate of food from the office potluck, a family game of charades, or a Hallmark movie marathon, these cozy holiday fruit drink recipes from our team at The FruitGuys will serve you well. We’ve included both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions to take you from Thanksgiving dinner to the office and everywhere in between! 

Note: To make either of these recipes, you’ll need a cheesecloth bag or spice ball to hold the spices. 

Old Fashioned Apple Cider

Recipe by Daria Jackson for The FruitGuys

Daria is The FruitGuys’ snack category manager, and her family makes this warming fruit drink every year. Her Old Fashioned Apple Cider recipe is non-alcoholic, but she said it also tastes great with a dash of vodka or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky for an extra kick. 

“I don’t have exact measurements for these—it’s kind of just ‘add until it tastes right.’ I usually add by the glass so more can enjoy the pot of cider,” she said. “Oh, and the whole house smells great while the cider is brewing. Added bonus!” 

Ingredients

4 cinnamon sticks

3 tablespoons whole cloves

2 slices orange peel

1 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 gallon apple cider

4 cups orange juice

4 cups lemonade 

Preparation

1. Add the spices and orange peel to a cheesecloth bag or spice ball. 
2. In a small pot, combine the bag or ball with water and boil for five minutes. 
3. After the spices are boiled, transfer the bag or ball and water to a large pot. 
4. Add the brown sugar, apple cider, orange juice, and lemonade. 
5. Simmer for at least 20 minutes, then ladle into mugs to serve.

Makes about 15 cups. Prep time, 15 minutes; cook time, 20 minutes. 

Cook’s Note

I like to use pulp-free orange juice, and I remove the bag of spices after two hours so it won’t make the cider bitter. To make this recipe alcoholic, offer guests a bottle of vodka or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky to spike their glasses. If there is any cider left, store it in the refrigerator and reheat. I always double the recipe when I make it. Enjoy!

Nelson Family Holiday Wassail 

Recipe by Lex Flamm for The FruitGuys

Lex is The FruitGuys’ marketing specialist, and her last name used to be Nelson. Her father’s side of the family has made this wassail (a hot drink that’s somewhere between cider and mulled wine) at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s gathering for the last decade. They like to use the boozy version of this recipe, but you can easily make it kid- or office-friendly by swapping the bottle of wine for an equivalent amount of cranberry or pomegranate juice. 

If you get office fruit deliveries from The FruitGuys, use a Navel orange, blood orange, mandarin, or similar citrus from your box for this recipe. Just don’t try it with grapefruit! 

Ingredients

2-3 tablespoons mulling spices

3 cinnamon sticks

1 bottle red wine

1 gallon apple cider

1 orange, sliced into thin discs with the peel intact

Preparation

1. Add the mulling spices and cinnamon sticks to a cheesecloth bag or spice ball. 
2. In a crockpot or large pot on the stove, add the wine, then pour in the apple cider until the liquid is about two inches from the top of the pot. Depending on the size of your pot, you may have leftover cider to enjoy another time. 
3. Add the cheesecloth bag or spice ball to the pot. If using a cheesecloth bag, push it under the surface until it’s wet through and submerged. 
4. Float the orange slices on top of the liquid. 
5. Bring the wassail to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least one hour. Ladle into mugs to serve. 

Makes 24-28 cups. Prep time, 10 minutes; cook time, 1 hour. 

Cook’s Note

I love pairing this cozy fruit drink with ginger cookies (here’s an option that’s gluten-free and vegan). You can make the recipe non-alcoholic by swapping in pomegranate or cranberry juice for the red wine. After simmering the wassail for an hour, turn the heat down as low as possible to keep it warm throughout the event. The longer you simmer your wassail, the stronger the taste of the mulling spices will be. Store any leftovers in your fridge to enjoy the next day. 

Want more holiday recipes from The FruitGuys? Check out this roundup of our Thanksgiving favorites or try your hand at Carol’s Perfect Pecan Pie.