Cuddle up and stay warm with a mug of spiced apple cider. This Slow Cooker Apple Cider is made from scratch and can be frozen to enjoy all winter long!
Apple season is already upon us. Can you believe it? Fall and Winter and Apple season are upon us! Fall and Winter are our favorite when it comes to food and drinks. Apple sales are starting up which means you can get killer deals, so now is the time to stock up on your freezer supply of homemade apple cider. Throw it in the crockpot now, and enjoy it all the way through Christmas.
It is super easy to make a base apple cider and we love how you can alter it slightly for different occasions. Throw in a splash of orange and cuddle up for your first fireplace start up of the winter. Add some caramel and whipped cream for a dessert drink. Whatever you decide to do, you’ve got to start with your base apple cider and this stuff is amazing. It is super easy and way better than that expensive jug you buy at the store. Go buy your apples by the bushel while the season is in full swing!
Apple Choices:
We love a sweeter cider, so we use a mix of Gala and Red Delicious apples in this recipe. However, it is all up to your personal taste preferences. If you prefer a more tart cider, Pink Lady or Braeburn would be fantastic. You can also experiment with a blend of a few different varieties such as:
- Pink Lady
- Braeburn
- Fuji
- Jonagold
- Golden Delicious
- Jonathon
- McIntosh
- Cortland
How should I strain out the spices?
Once your cider is finished, you can simply pour through a fine mesh strainer or even cheesecloth. For an easier experience, we recommend placing the cloves and allspice into a small piece of cheesecloth, folded up and tied together with kitchen twine. When your cider is ready, simply remove the cinnamon sticks and cheesecloth bag with a spoon and you are ready to drink!
Can I add alcohol to homemade apple cider?
Yes, you can add alcohol to apple cider for a spiked adult beverage. Popular choices for spiked apple cider are rum, bourbon, and whiskey. Feel free to spike with your preferred liquor. As always, drink responsibly.
Freezer Instructions:
We love to make a large batch and freeze the leftovers to drink all fall and winter long. Simply let your apple cider cool completely and then pour into a freezer safe gallon size zippered bag. Lay flat in your freezer for easy storing and stacking. Be sure to use within 8-12 months.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious Fall beverage recipes:
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider From Scratch
- 8 gala apples quartered
- 4 sticks cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 10 cups water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 orange thickly sliced, optional
- Place your quartered apples and sliced orange, if using, into a slow cooker. Add in cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and allspice in there and pour in the 10 cups of water.
- Cook on high for 3 hours.
- Mash the apples with a potato masher. Add in brown sugar. Cook an additional 1-3 hours on low.
- Strain the solids from the liquids. Discard solids and store liquids in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for later use.