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Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This warm, spiced apple cider is made effortlessly in a slow cooker with simple ingredients like apples, oranges, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It’s the perfect cozy drink for fall gatherings or chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 ounces (1.9 liters) apple cider (unfiltered, such as Martinelli’s or local orchard brand)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds (peel on)
  • 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced into rounds
  • 4–5 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 2–3 whole star anise pods (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber preferred), to taste
  • 2–3 thin slices fresh ginger (optional, peeled)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange and apple thoroughly. Slice the orange into thin rounds (about ¼-inch thick). Do the same with the apple. Remove any seeds from the apple slices. Leave the peel on both.
  2. Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker: Place the orange slices at the bottom, then add the apple slices. Tuck the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ginger slices (if using) around the fruit. Sprinkle the whole cloves over everything.
  3. Pour the entire 64 ounces of apple cider over the fruit and spices. Drizzle in the maple syrup. Do not stir yet.
  4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set to low. Cook for 3-4 hours. After 2 hours, give it a gentle stir to dissolve the maple syrup. The cider is ready when the apple slices are soft and the liquid has deepened to a rich amber color.
  5. After 3 hours, taste the cider. If you want it sweeter, stir in an extra tablespoon of maple syrup. If you want more spice, add another cinnamon stick and let it steep for 30 more minutes.
  6. If you prefer a clear cider without floating fruit and spices, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher or directly into mugs. Otherwise, leave everything in the slow cooker for serving.
  7. Ladle the cider into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin apple slice if desired. Serve immediately. The cider stays warm in the slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting for hours.

Notes

For extra depth, toast the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes before adding. The cider can be kept on warm in the slow cooker for up to 8 hours; add a splash of fresh cider if it reduces too much. For a spiked version, stir in ½ cup of bourbon, dark rum, or brandy after 3 hours of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker spiced apple cider, homemade apple cider, fall drink, warm apple cider, easy apple cider recipe

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