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Easy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider: The Best Homemade Recipe

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This easy slow cooker spiced apple cider is the perfect fall drink—warm, spicy, and sweet, made with simple pantry ingredients. Just dump everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic for a cozy, crowd-pleasing beverage.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 ounces apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1 large orange, washed and sliced into rounds
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey, or brown sugar)
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prep the spices: Place the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and star anise in a piece of cheesecloth or a reusable spice bag. Tie it up securely with kitchen twine.
  2. Slice the orange: Wash your orange well, then slice it into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Do not peel it.
  3. Combine everything in the slow cooker: Pour the apple cider into your slow cooker. Add the orange slices, the spice bundle, the maple syrup, and the split vanilla bean (if using). Sprinkle in that pinch of salt. Give everything a gentle stir.
  4. Cook on low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
  5. Cook on high (shortcut option): If you’re short on time, you can cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
  6. Remove the spice bundle and vanilla bean: Carefully fish out the spice bundle and the vanilla bean (if you used one). The orange slices can stay in for visual appeal or be removed.
  7. Strain (optional but recommended): Pour the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher or directly into mugs.
  8. Taste and adjust: Give the cider a taste. Want it sweeter? Stir in a little more maple syrup. Want more spice? Let it steep with the spice bundle for another 30 minutes.
  9. Serve warm: Ladle into mugs and garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a star anise pod if desired.

Notes

Don’t boil the cider; low and slow is best. Watch the cloves—too many can make it taste like medicine. Use a spice bag to avoid picking cloves out of your mug. The cider keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days and freezes for up to 3 months. For a spiked version, add bourbon, dark rum, or brandy to each mug.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker spiced apple cider, homemade apple cider, fall drink, warm cider, easy cider recipe, slow cooker drink, apple cider, spiced cider

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