Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe
This Crockpot Apple Cider recipe is a cozy, hands-off slow cooker drink that fills your home with the warm aroma of fall. Made with a mix of sweet and tart apples, orange slices, and whole spices simmered slowly, it produces a naturally flavorful, smooth cider sweetened to your taste. Perfect for chilly evenings and autumn gatherings, this easy recipe makes a delicious, fragrant, and comforting beverage whether served warm or cooled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours on HIGH or 6–8 hours on LOW
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (HIGH) or 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (LOW)
- Yield: Approximately 10 cups (serves about 6–8) 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 4 red sweet apples (like Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- 4 green tart apples (like Granny Smith)
- 1 orange (unpeeled)
Spices
- 3–4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Liquids and Sweetener
- 10 cups water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (add to taste)
Instructions
- Prep the Fruit: Wash the apples and orange thoroughly. Core the apples but leave their skins on for extra flavor. Slice each apple into 8 wedges. Slice the unpeeled orange into thin 0.5 cm rounds.
- Add Everything to Crockpot: Place the sliced apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and ground nutmeg into the slow cooker. Pour in 10 cups of water.
- Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours to slowly extract all the flavors.
- Mash the Fruit: After cooking, use a wooden spoon or potato masher to gently mash the softened fruit inside the crockpot to release more juice and flavor.
- Strain: Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher, discarding all fruit solids and spices to obtain a smooth cider.
- Sweeten: While the cider is still warm, stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar. Adjust sweetness to taste by adding more if desired.
Notes
- Don’t peel the apples or orange; their skins add great flavor and color.
- Use a balance of sweet red and tart green apples for the best flavor.
- Add brown sugar at the end to avoid over-sweetening during cooking.
- Mash the fruit gently to maximize juice extraction before straining.
- Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to keep the cider smooth and free of pulp.
- Can be made on stovetop by simmering gently for 2–3 hours covered.
- Store leftover cider in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Add fresh ginger slices or star anise for a spicier version.
- Add a splash of spiced rum or bourbon after straining for an adult version.
Keywords: apple cider, crockpot apple cider, slow cooker apple cider, fall drink, warm apple cider, homemade apple cider, fall beverage, slow cooker beverage
Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/crockpot-apple-cider-recipe/
