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.
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!
Excellent. Can replace sugar w Stevie for sugar free diet.
how much stevie should I use for this?
This was better than anything store bought. And my house smells amazing. Win.Win
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!!
After smashing the apples could you leave the apples in the cider and drink it that way? How long would it stay good if i did it that way? Thank you
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?
I misread after a long day…lol
I put sugar in ahead of time too. Hopefully didn’t mess it up. I’m also trying to cook ahead of time. Can I cook part way then continue next day for the other 3 hours.
Sugar helps apples stay intact- cooking first without sugar will help breakdown apples.
I also put the sugar in too early and it came out fine. I also did this in a pot on the stove instead of crock pot. I boiled it for 90 mins, removed apples and mashed them, added the mashed apples back in and simmered it for 45 mins and it came out great. Also used the mashed apples the were strained out to make apple butter. Only needed to add a bit of sugar to make th apple butter in the blender.
DO you have to wait a week to drink? Or can u drink it right away?
You can drink it right away. I’m not sure where you are getting 1 week from.
@Rachel, not sure if you realize websites are read by people all over the world, or sometimes you just misread something specially when the sentences don’t state everything clearly… I think you should be more gentle with your replies…
@Jocelynn, when she mentions «1 week» she was refering to the time it would last stored in the fridge.
I’m sorry you felt the reply wasn’t gentle as that wasn’t the intention at all. The intention is always to answer the question asked.
don’t want to butt in but i’ve read rachel’s answer and i think it was the correct answer. that’s how we answer it in america. that’s as gentle as you can get it. i think your just super emotional feeling offended easily. get over it. i just can’t stand it when a person is so over melodrama. sorry for butting in.
It states you can leave it in the fridge for up to a week before it starts to turn.
You can drink it right away. You can store it, and it can last up to a week. It goes bad after a week.
It’s a very easy recipe with great results. I love it.
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
Would it work to use green apples or are they too tart? I have an apple tree and it produces green apples. I always have an over abundance of apples and thought this would be a good use for them.
I enjoy a good tart apple cider.
You can always add extra sugar if it is too tart.