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Spiced Apple Cider – Easy Slow Cooker Fall Drink

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This cozy spiced apple cider is made in the slow cooker with fresh apples, warming spices, and citrus for the ultimate fall drink. It’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and fills your home with the aroma of autumn.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8–10 medium fresh apples (about 3–4 lbs), quartered (mix of tart and sweet varieties recommended)
  • 1 medium orange, sliced (unpeeled, washed well)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 8–10 whole cloves
  • 2–3 star anise pods (optional)
  • 5–6 allspice berries (optional)
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar or maple syrup, to taste
  • 8 cups water
  • Optional garnishes: extra cinnamon sticks, fresh apple slices, orange wheels, splash of bourbon or rum (for adults)

Instructions

  1. Wash and quarter the apples (no need to peel or core, just remove stems). Slice the orange into rounds.
  2. Place apple quarters and orange slices into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  3. Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods (if using), allspice berries (if using), and sliced ginger.
  4. Pour in 8 cups of water.
  5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours, until the fruit is very soft and fragrant.
  6. Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash the apples and oranges in the slow cooker to release more juice and flavor. Let sit for another 15-20 minutes for richer flavor.
  7. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large heatproof bowl, pressing on the solids to extract all liquid. Discard solids.
  8. Pour the strained cider back into the slow cooker. Stir in brown sugar or maple syrup to taste. Adjust sweetness as desired.
  9. If the cider is too strong, add a splash of water. If too mild, simmer with the lid off to concentrate.
  10. Serve warm in mugs, garnished with cinnamon sticks, apple slices, or orange wheels. For an adult version, add a splash of bourbon or rum.

Notes

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor. Whole spices are preferred for a smooth, clean taste. Adjust sweetener to your liking and mash the fruit after cooking for deeper flavor. For a stovetop version, simmer in a large pot for 2-3 hours. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiced apple cider, slow cooker apple cider, fall drink, crockpot cider, non-alcoholic cider, autumn beverage, apple drink, holiday drink, vegan cider, gluten-free cider

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/spiced-apple-cider-recipe-easy-slow-cooker-fall-drink/