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Cozy Slow Cooker Apple Cider: Best Easy Fall Drink

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A warm, comforting slow cooker apple cider made with fresh apples, whole spices, and orange. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it recipe creates a sophisticated fall drink that is naturally gluten-free and vegan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 gallon fresh, unfiltered apple cider
  • 2 large Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, peeled and chopped into chunks
  • 1 medium orange, sliced into rounds (seeds removed)
  • 3 large cinnamon sticks
  • 10–12 whole cloves
  • 8–10 whole allspice berries
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional, to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and orange thoroughly. Core the apples and chop them into 1-inch cubes. Slice the orange into thin rounds, removing any seeds to prevent bitterness.
  2. Place the chopped apples and orange slices into the slow cooker insert.
  3. Pour in the gallon of apple cider.
  4. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and freshly grated nutmeg. If using brown sugar, add it now.
  5. Stir gently with a long spoon to distribute the spices evenly.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW. Cook for 6 to 8 hours until the apples are tender and the spices have infused the liquid.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to WARM if it isn’t already. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  8. Taste the cider and adjust sweetness with more brown sugar if needed, or dilute with water if too strong.
  9. Serve hot in mugs, garnishing with a cinnamon stick or apple slice. Strain if a clearer drink is preferred.

Notes

Use whole spices rather than ground spices to avoid a gritty texture. If cooking for longer than 8 hours, add a cup of water halfway through to prevent over-concentration. For a thicker cider, mash some of the cooked apples against the side of the pot before serving. This recipe is naturally alcohol-free but can be spiked with bourbon or rum if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker apple cider, fall drink, easy cider recipe, holiday beverage, gluten-free drink, vegan cider, warm apple cider, autumn recipes

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/cozy-slow-cooker-apple-cider-best-easy-fall-drink/