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.
Loved this recipe! We made it the night before and woke up to the house smelling like apples and cinnamon. We left out the orange and it was the perfect level of sweetness. If anyone is worried about mashing up the apples, don’t be! The apples fall apart by the end of the cook time, and gently mushing them around with a spoon is really all that is needed.
We’ll definitely be making this a regular fall recipe :))
Outstanding! & I like to add a little apple brandy. 😋
I want to thank you for taking your time to teach us how to make our families happy with nice meals, deserts, and all kind of excellent food. You are making more than one of us an excellent “chef” and at no cost. This is precious what you do donating your knowledge and all your experience just for the pleasure of sharing with us.
Remember my dear Rachel, there will always be one bitter person critizicing, but please for the sake of that one, do not let that stop you, because there is more that love your recipies. Thank you. Isabel
Made this today and it was great! There’s nothing better than hot apple cider! In the future, I will probably omit the orange and add a bit more brown sugar. Maybe I will also use honey crisp apples instead of Gala.
The lady who wanted to know if she could add alcohol….big time “yes”. Cinnamon Schnops (?) Spelling….lol. wonderful hot drink for cold weather.
Currently about half way through the making process. It smells amazing!!
I used a whole orange and half of a grapefruit, I also added some nutmeg to it. I’m hoping it’s good. If it’s a success I will definitely be making more!
This was amazingly simple to make. I smelled wonderful while cooking. It taste just like apple cider! This has become one of my holiday crock pot favorites!
Really enjoyed the flavors, but I think it used too much water. It was very watered down. I boiled it for an hour or so on the stove and it was fantastic!
Thanks Kelly! I just made this and also found it to be too watery. I’m going to add some lemon for tartness and boil it for an hour and we’ll see where we are.
Just made this, and it is awesome! I did not use the orange, but I will next time. I also had to add extra sugar after straining. I did not have whole spices, so I ended up using pumpkin pie spice. I took the apple pieces and put them in the blender. Made some incredible apple butter!
You can also make apple scrap vinegar from the peels and cores (it is super easy and there are a lot of recipes online)!
Loved it, so easy to do and found it to be excellent for small groups