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Turn your home into an cozy corner with seasonal aromas just by making this Crockpot Apple Cider recipe. It’s infused with all the quintessential flavors of the season and can be served at a party, dinner gathering or just a random Tuesday night.
The moment the weather starts to get chilly and evenings get dark before dinner, I know it’s time to get out this recipe and let the crockpot do the while. While this apple cider recipe simmers, I can relax with a good book (I recommend The Women), curled up on the couch.
Hot homemade crockpot apple cider is the perfect cold-season beverage. It makes the house smell amazing and one sip soothes the soul. This is also the time of year I start trading in my cold brew for Healthy Coffee and my Tropical Smoothie Bowl for a Pumpkin Smoothie or a Maple Oat Smoothie Bowl.
Crockpot Apple Cider Ingredients
The prep for this crockpot apple cider recipe is actually really easy after you source the ingredients. You wouldn’t think cloves would be hard to find, but I struggled locating them last year when I wanted to make my Chai Tea Latte. So, grab this list of aromatic spices and make sure you’ve got everything on hand before you take out that Crockpot.
- Apple cider: Look for one that’s just apples, no weird stuff. If you live in a place with apple orchards, head there for the freshest kind!
- Cinnamon sticks: Most grocery stores sell whole cinnamon sticks in the spice section, or you can grab a package on Amazon.
- Ground nutmeg: It’s a little harder to find whole nutmeg so I went with ground for this recipe. If you want to use whole then check your grocery store’s international section or spice section; you might get lucky!
- Whole cloves: Clove is a super strong spice and you might be surprised to find that the ground one in your drawer just might be out of date. Instead, grab some whole cloves and enjoy a super fresh pop of spice.
- Ginger root: Fresh ginger adds to the flavor of this recipe without making it spicy.
- Orange peel: No need for orange juice in this recipe, just the peel! It provides a slightly acidic taste that pairs perfectly with the apples and other spices.
You honestly don’t need any added sweetener in this apple cider crock recipe since the cider will provide that naturally through the apple juice. If you do want to add a small amount of maple syrup or brown sugar, then go for it after you give it a taste first.
How to Make Crockpot Apple Cider
As I said before, crockpot apple cider is easy to make. You just need to combine everything and give it time to simmer. You can even make it a day or two ahead of time, then heat up right before the main event. Here’s how I’m making mine:
- Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker (I use my 7-qt Crockpot).
- Heat on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until all the spices infuse the cider. The longer the cider simmers, the stronger the spiced flavor will be.
- Strain using a fine-mesh strainer to remove all the whole spices and peel before serving.
- Stir liquid and serve in a mug, garnished with your favorite warm spices.
- Store leftover cider in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Shake well to mix it up again before serving.
Serving Homemade Crockpot Apple Cider
This slow cooker apple cider recipe can be served hot or cold, depending on the weather and your mood. Whether you prefer it warm or cold, you can reheat it on the stovetop, in the microwave, or enjoy it chilled. If you’re serving this for a party then jazz it up a bit! Serve in a glass with a cinnamon stick or stick an apple slice or orange slice on the rim.
Easy Swaps and Variations
There are several different ways you can make this simple hot apple cider recipe to get just the flavor you’re looking for. Here are a few variations you can do:
- First, if you aren’t able to find fresh/whole spices then use all ground! Ground cloves, ginger and cinnamon will work just fine, though the flavor will change slightly.
- For a brighter citrus finish, use orange slices (peels on) in the mixture. The juice will be infused with the other ingredients.
- If you’d like to make an adult beverage then add in some spiced rum for a spiked cider. Usually, spiced rums are infused with cinnamon and vanilla, which would pair perfectly with the other spices already in this recipe. Just make sure it’s clearly labeled when serving!
While apple cider straight from the fridge can be delicious, infusing it with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and orange takes it to the next level. Not only does it make your whole house smell amazing (like the Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies effect!) but you also get a delicious Drink for Fall when it’s done.
Common Questions
Since apple cider has a higher level of acidity than apple juice, they aren’t really interchangeable when cooking. Stick to whichever one the recipe calls for.
If you’re making your own apple cider, variety is the key to the best taste. Add a variety of tart apples and sweet apples as well as a mixture of red and green for a more complex and tastier drink. While apples are plenty sweet on their own, feel free to add a small amount of sweetener to your batch if you want.
There is no need to use a press when making apple cider. Use a mix of sweet and tart apple varieties, all cored and cut into fourths (leave the skin on). Place them into a crockpot, then add just enough water to cover the fruit, and let cook on low for 6-7 hours. Use a large spoon to gently mash the soft apples, releasing their juices, and then strain the whole thing to remove the pulp/skin. You can always strain again through cheesecloth if you want to get rid of even more pulp, yet you don’t need to press the juice. If your kitchen is overflowing with apples after a day at the orchard, combine this process with my recipe for a slow cooker apple cider.
More Warm Seasonal Drinks
Fall is the best food scene, in my opinion. The fresh produce, flavors and atmosphere with which to enjoy them is unmatched. Grab your favorite sweater, embrace the cooler weather, and dive into these other lovely warm seasonal beverages:
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte: A sweet and warming coffee treat to brighten your day.
- Homemade Hot Chocolate: Rich, creamy, and perfect for a cozy evening.
- Warm Chai Smoothie: A creamy, spiced smoothie perfect for chilly mornings.
- Warm Wassail Drink: A classic holiday cider full of festive spices.
- Warm Almond Milk and Honey: A soothing, caffeine-free option for winding down.
If you make this easy crockpot apple cider recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Easy Crockpot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tsp nutmeg ground
- 1 tbsp cloves whole
- 1 inch ginger root sliced, optional
- orange peel, optional
- maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Combine the cider, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and orange peel in a slow cooker.
- Heat on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, or until the spices infuse the cider. The longer the cider cooks, the stronger the spiced flavor will be.
- Strain the cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger and orange peel before serving.
- Store extra cider in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Shake to mix before serving leftovers.
Equipment
- crock pot
Notes
- To make it easier to remove the spices and peel, place them in a few layers of cheesecloth and tie with string to make a nice little bundle then toss the bundle into the crockpot. Then you can just take out the bundle before serving.
- For a sweeter sip, add honey or maple syrup.
- For an even more festive finish, top with coconut whipped cream.
- I like to look for apple cider that’s just apples so I can adjust the flavor + sweetness more easily.
How much apples would you need to make this from scratch?
Hi Staucia! It would take about 30-40 apples to make the 1 gallon needed for this recipe.
I can find cinnamon sticks, but where do I found whole cloves? Thanks! I love a good cider recipe.
Yay cider! You can find whole cloves in the spice/seasoning section of your local grocery store.
I never thought to put orange peel in my cider mix, great idea! Gives it a little extra zing, I love it.
It sure does! Have a wonderful holiday season.
Hello Jen and SGS,
Do you have a recipe for making your own apple cider instead of store bought? Would you just boil apples in water, or I guess that would just make apple sauce?
Thanks!
Hey Grace— I don’t have one. But I def think I could experiment and see what I could do for that. Honestly– it can’t be that hard. I think you just have to have a strainer to get the pulp out before serving so it’s not like apple sauce. I’ll give it a shot and report back!
I made this recipe from your cookbook and it’s becoming a favorite! love the idea of spiking it to be a “grown up beverage.” I feel like we all have moments when we need something a little stronger. 😉 I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas, Jen.
Thank Susan— I love hearing when a recipe is a winner for others as well. Wishing you a very merry Christmas as well. xoxo