Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider: Best Easy Recipe
This cozy slow cooker spiced apple cider is a warm, comforting drink made with apple cider, fresh fruit, and aromatic spices. It’s easy to prepare, fills your home with a wonderful aroma, and is perfect for fall gatherings or quiet nights in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups (2 liters) apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
- 1 large navel orange, thinly sliced
- 1 large apple (like Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks (or 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon)
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 4 star anise pods
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or 1 whole nutmeg, grated)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) (optional)
- Fresh cranberries (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Wash the orange and apple thoroughly. Slice both into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick.
- Place the sliced orange and apple in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger. Pour the apple cider over everything.
- Give it a gentle stir to make sure the spices are distributed.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or on high for 2-3 hours if you’re short on time).
- About 30 minutes before serving, taste the cider and add maple syrup or honey if you want it sweeter. Add vanilla extract if using.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Carefully ladle the cider through the strainer to remove the fruit slices and whole spices. Discard the solids.
- Ladle the strained cider into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick, a few apple slices, or a handful of fresh cranberries if desired.
- If serving over a longer period, keep the strained cider in the slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting.
Notes
Don’t skip the orange; it adds brightness. Watch the cloves—if simmering more than 4 hours, add them halfway or remove after 3-4 hours to avoid bitterness. Strain before storing to prevent overpowering flavors. The cider will look cloudy right after straining but will settle.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 28
Keywords: slow cooker spiced apple cider, apple cider, spiced cider, fall drink, warm beverage, slow cooker recipe, easy apple cider