Slow Cooker Cider is the best warm and comforting seasonal drink! The crock pot does all the work and it can be thrown together in 5 minutes, making it perfect for fall and winter holiday gatherings.
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Why this Slow Cooker Apple Cider Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s the perfect warm, comforting and amazing drink for fall and winter holiday functions! It doesn’t take much effort to make, so it’s a great one to let the kids help on. And everyone loves the cinnamon stick garnish.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It’s so easy and a hit with guests, making it ideal for entertaining.
- Seasonal: It makes the most of the fall seasonal ingredients and flavors.
- Great for Meal Prep: Apple cider is perfect for making in bulk and enjoying throughout the week.
- Low Maintenance: Apple cider in the crockpot doesn’t require constant attention while cooking.
- Fun to Make: This recipe is fun and kids love to help! It also makes your house smell amazing!
Are Apple Cider and Apple Juice the Same Thing?
Not quite! Apple cider and apple juice are very similar but definitely have their differences. Cider is a seasonal drink that is usually fresh, unpasteurized and can be spiced, while apple juice is sweeter and more shelf stable.
Ingredient Notes for Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe
You will need just a few super simple ingredients to make this recipe. They’re all super easy to find at the store, but you may even have some of the ingredients around your kitchen already.
- Apple Cider: You will need one gallon of cider. Take a trip to your local cider mill for the best flavor or find some at the grocery store!
- Star Anise: Five or six of these pods will do for this apple cider recipe.
- Fresh Nutmeg: Grate your own nutmeg pods fresh.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Prep Ahead Suggestions for Easy Crockpot Apple Cider
Prepping ahead of time can help to save you time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for a party!
- Make Ahead: This crockpot apple cider is great to make the day of any get-together or gathering because it smells up your whole house! But lucky for you, this can be made a day or two ahead and just warmed up in your slow cooker.
Special Equipment Needed for Apple Cider with Spice
Sometimes you need a specific piece of equipment to make a recipe just right. In this case, all you need is a crock pot!
- Slow Cooker: A slow cooker or crockpot will come in handy when making apple cider. It slowly heats it so all the flavors of the apples and spices can come together.
Pro Tip
Simmer on Low Heat: Simmering on low heat for a longer period of time will allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cider from Scratch
This crock pot mulled apple cider recipe comes together in just 2 quick and easy steps. This warm cider recipe is so good and super easy to make, you’ll be making this every fall!
These are the basic steps for making Slow Cooker Cider. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Slice Orange and Stud Oranges
Slice orange into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Stud each orange slice with 5-6 cloves each.
2. Simmer Ingredients
Pour the cider, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods and fresh nutmeg in a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on low, and allow to simmer. Serve warm in mugs with a slice of orange.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store any leftover cider in an airtight container or glass bottle. It will last up to three days.
- Reheating: Warm the apple cider mulled recipe on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftover tart cider with a warm slice of apple pie!
Variations and Substitutions for Mulled Cider
This homemade cider recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own! Try taking it to the next level by adding another step or adding other ingredients and flavors.
- Strain for Smoothness: If you prefer a smooth cider in your slow cooker, strain cider through a fine mesh strainer before serving.
- Sweeten to Taste: Adjust the sweetness of your cider by adding a bit of honey, maple syrup or brown sugar and stir.
- Allspice: Try adding in whole allspice when you add in the other spices to infuse into the homemade apple cider.
Recipe FAQs
Serve Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup, Apple Pie Dip, caramel apples or Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies with this spiced cider recipe.
Yes! Easy apple cider can be frozen for up to three months.
Try using sweet or tart sliced apples like granny smith, gala, red delicious apples or golden delicious. You can also use other flavors of cider like cranberry apple cider or other versions that your local cider mill might have.
Apple Cider Tips and Stovetop or Instant Pot Directions
- Spiked Apple Cider: Rum, whiskey, brandy or bourbon can be a great addition to this hard cider punch.
- Strain: Strain the cider out with a fine-mesh strainer, or cheesecloth to strain out the spices.
- Best Cider: I recommend going to your local farmers markets or visiting a local cider mill to get the best cider. Fresh apple cider is made from scratch is always the best. If you want to go the extra mile, make your own cider!
- Topping: Top with butter to add a little cream, or add fresh cranberries to the mulled hot cider. A sprinkle of ground cloves is a nice finishing touch.
- Alternate Cooking Method: Need hot apple cider quick? You can cook on high for an hour or two or in the instant pot. Or cook on a large pot until the cider is done.
- Lower Sugar: Low sugar fruits such as whole cranberries are great in this crock pot apple cider recipe, also use a sugar substitute to add as sweetener.
Slow Cooker Cider
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Ingredients
- 1 gallon Apple cider
- 1 Orange, cut into slices
- 30 Whole cloves
- 3-4 Cinnamon sticks
- 5-6 Star anise pods
- ⅛ teaspoon Grated fresh nutmeg
Instructions
- Slice orange into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Stud each orange slice with 5-6 cloves each.
- Place all ingredients in a large slow cooker.
- Set to low and allow to simmer for 4 hours. Serve warm in mugs.
Christina’s Notes
- Spiked Apple Cider: Rum, whiskey, brandy or bourbon can be a great addition to this punch.
- Strain: Strain the cider out with a fine-mesh strainer, or cheesecloth to strain out the spices.
- Best Cider: I recommend going to your local farmers markets or visiting a local cider mill to get the best cider. Fresh apple cider is made from scratch is always the best. If you want to go the extra mile, make your own cider!
- Topping: Top with butter to add a little cream, or add fresh cranberries to the mulled hot cider.
- Alternate Cooking Method: Need hot apple cider quick? You can cook on high for an hour or two or in the instant pot.
- Lower Sugar: Low sugar fruits such as whole cranberries are great in this crock pot apple cider recipe, also use a sugar substitute to add as sweetener.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.