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!
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
Last year, I used rum. It worked great!
Looked good, made, tastes pretty good. Instead of freezing it I canned it (of that’s the correct word for it). I cooked out some glass bottles and put it in there.
Tomorrow a stormy day, so perfect the try the chilled and heated version.
Thanks for the recipe. BTW I used local apples from the Netherlands.
How long did you can it and did you use a pressure canner?
there is another site with information on canning apple cider – pick you own. org
Excellent. Can replace sugar w Stevie for sugar free diet.
how much stevie should I use for this?
Looks great, one question instead of discarding the apples at the end, can they be blended to make applesauce? Flavour will be there… seems like a waste to throw the apples out.. Looking forward to trying this recipe 😊.
You could make applebutter out of it!!
Very good I added an orange and whole nutmeg I love flavors. Made 2 quarts and a cup of coarse drank the cup was very good I probably will do again I did use brown sugar and real syrup just right
The orange and nutmeg addition sounds delicious. Will try it next time 🙂 I have made cider with Rachel’s recipe from the old apple tree in my back garden. (I live in Norway).
I have made 2 batches for the first time tonight and currently letting them cool down and chill. The first batch I followed the recipe as is and it smelled amazing. The second batch I substitued 3 cups of water with 3 cups of everclear for a more adult beverage. Like anything cooked with alcohol the aroma can be a bit overpowering but with a trained nose I can tell it has the same smell as the first batch. I’m excited to have them cool down and chilled so I can taste them. If it’s a success I’ll be using… Read more »
Sorry, Sam, but I don’t think it was a good idea to use everclear. That stuff is toxic. I think you should have used an unflavored vodka. Let us know how it tastes and who gets the sickest from drinking it.
It’s actually very good with Everclear Billie. A well-known recipe in Idaho! Obviously don’t make it if you don’t drink alcohol.
You made apple moonshine !
alcohol will cook out though
This recipe is awesome. I made it for my family Halloween party (really doing it up this year for the sake of my 5 year old–we won’t be participating in trick or treating b/c…well..2020).
I can also say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments on this recipe.
Humans are so funny.
Thanks for a great recipe and a few good laughs!
This was better than anything store bought. And my house smells amazing. Win.Win
I am trying this for the first time. I am using green apples and I read the recipe wrong so I put my sugar in to early. Hoping for the best.
I did the same thing! Did you have any issues?
Can you use an a blender stick to mash apples.
Yes you can.
I would use McInstosh apples – they have a LOT more flavor than Gala would have!
Not sure what went wrong for others because this recipe was great. I omitted the allspice and cloves and just added cinnamon sticks. I added fewer apples since my crockpot is small and didn’t get that punchy Apple taste but added some Apple juice just before straining. It was very tasty. Next time I’ll ensure to add less water for a stronger Apple flavour.
What is whole allspice? I thought allspice was a mixture of cinnamon nutmeg and cloves? So just like those 3 things in whole pieces??
Allspice is its own spice, not a combination of other spices. Don’t worry, it’s a common misconception. Whole allspice are tiny little round balls. Using whole spices in this recipe prevents the liquid from getting gritty and infuses the flavor straight in there without any powdery residue.
Where can you buy whole allspice? I don’t think I have ever seen it in stores before, but of course I haven’t really looked before either.
You should be able to find whole allspice in the spice section of most grocery stores.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I made it for our neighborhood block party and they loved it. Will be making it again!!!
Is it safe to drink? Tons of information on unpasteurized apple cider on the internet. But none say if using the crock pot is the same thing. Does anyone know? Apparently pasteurized just means heating to a specific temperature.
Yes it is safe to drink. It has to be at 161 degrees for a very short amount of time. This recipe is more than adequate to meet pasteurization requirements.
yes totally safe to drink…. seeing as its apples
…. and you would typically eat them raw anyway