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!
Fall and winter and apple season are upon us! Fall and winter are our favorite seasons 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple cider is typically less filtered than apple juice, resulting in a cloudier appearance and a more robust apple flavor.
Maple syrup or honey can serve as sweet alternatives. Both of these options are sweeter than brown sugar, so you will want to start out with only adding half of the amount called for, and then taste as you go.
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!
The orange slice is optional but adds a refreshing citrus undertone to the 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.
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
Tips From the Chef
No slow cooker? No problem! Use your stovetop by simply combining all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let it simmer for about 2-4 hours, following the rest of the steps as described.
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. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use and drink within 8-12 months.
Storage Instructions
Store apple cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Drink the Season!
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.
How can I substitute ground allspice and ground cloves in this recipe. I can’t get my hands on whole of either!!
You can add ground, but you may get a bit of a grainy texture. When mixing ground spices into liquid you just want to make sure they don’t clump up so sprinkle far and wide 🙂
Perfect and what ratio would you use to substitute ground for the whole??
i love this recipe and have made it several times this winter..in fact have some in the crock pot right now….warms your tummy on cold nights
I don’t know what I did wrong! But this is actually pretty gross… I’m a huge fan of apples and apple cider but this turned out just awful. It might not have been the recipe, just something I did wrong. It’s bitter and just…. I don’t even know how to explain it. Not good.
Bitter? That sounds like an apple issue. The only thing that could cause such bitterness in this recipe is the apples. What kind of apples did you use?
The pith from the orange can be bitter. I took big strips of zest, then cut off all the white part. I thought the recipe was too heavy in cloves for my.taste, so I used just a.teaspoon.
There’s two differences with the recipe and video so I didn’t know which one to follow. In the video she says one teaspoon of allspice but in the recipe it calls for one tablespoon! Then she says in the video cook on high for three hours but in the directions it says cook on low for three hours. I am making this and I am worried I did it wrong. I did it by the video because that’s how I started but how is it correctly made?
The recipe just needed to be updated. I’ve changed the recipe since it was first posted several years ago and the video has more current information. Both work, but I prefer the latest version.
I made this recipe overnight (so it cooked for ~12 hours) since it was full to the rim. It tastes great!
Was it on low?
Did this recipe have an after taste or bitterness to it?
It should not. Well, I mean, it will have an aftertaste because the flavor doesn't just disappear, but it should be a good one. Any bitterness would be do your apples or potentially their peels. If you are worried about bitterness you could peel your apples beforehand.
how much does this make?
About 10 cups of cider.
???
I'm trying this without the sugar/spices to see what the base tastes like; may add them later depending on the taste.
This inspired me to pull out my slow cooker and make some cider! Smells amazing!!
Leslie
I'm making this right now!