Thisslow cooker apple cideris easy to make and only calls for a few ingredients! Warm, spiced, and sweet, it is the perfect drink for the fall and winter.

slow cooker apple cider in beautifully adorned glasses.

Freshly made apple cider is a drink that is hard not to love! Each time I make this recipe for a party, it’s gone in no time. I love that this recipe uses fresh apples and oranges rather than juice. By doing this, the flavors are more vibrant and blend together beautifully!

The warm, earthy cinnamon sticks and cloves perfectly balance the sweet apples and oranges. Brown sugar is added at the end for an extra hint of sweetness and to help the flavors stand out. Here is a great article onhow to soften brown sugartoo.

As the cider cooks in the slow cooker, thewarm spicy smellwill permeate throughout your home, making it feel nice and cozy! This is a fall drink that you can’t pass up.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The cider is made completely from scratch with fresh apples, oranges, and spices.
It is easy to add everything to the slow cooker and let the flavors come together.
This drink is fun and delicious for any parties or large gatherings.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with digitally labeled raw ingredients to make Slow Cooker Apple Cider.

Apples—Any kind of apples will work!
Orange—Optional. To contribute a subtle citrus flavor and tang.
Cinnamon Sticks—Make sure you use whole sticks and not ground cinnamon.
Whole Cloves—To add some extra spiced flavor.
Water
Brown Sugar—To add a rich sweetness to the cider.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Slow Cooker Apple Cider

portion bowls each with raw ingredients to make slow cooker apple cider.

crock pot bowl filled with raw ingredients to make slow cooker apple cider.

Step #1.Gather all of your necessary ingredients.

Step #2.Wash the apples and orange and roughly cut them into quarters. Place the cut fruit and spices in the bowl of your slow cooker.

Step #3.Add water until it’s about an inch from the top of the bowl. Cook on high. Once the cider is almost done, crush and mash the apples, and then let them continue to cook.

Step #4.Strain the cider to remove all of the fruit. Rinse your slow cooker bowl to remove any extra pieces of fruit or spices. Return the cider to the bowl. Heat on low and add the brown sugar. Stir well to combine.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use white sugar in this recipe?

Yes, there are different types of sweeteners you can use for this recipe. If you use a crystalized sugar such as coconut sugar or white sugar, be aware that you will need to stir it very well to get the sugar to dissolve and avoid the cider from being gritty. Aside from brown sugar, honey or maple syrup are great sweeteners that will combine easily into your cider!

Can I drink this cold?

Yes! It all depends on your preference. This spiced apple cider is a delicious drink heated to keep you warm on a chilly day. But, you can absolutely serve it cold or even over ice if that is what you would like. If you want to serve it cold, after you strain the cider and add the sweetener you can transfer it to a pitcher and keep it in the fridge, then serve it chilled.

How can I avoid bits of fruit in my cider?

To strain your cider and remove the fruit and spices, use a pasta colander with a large, clean bowl underneath. This will hold the cider and prevent losing any of your drink. It might be a good idea to have someone help you with this step! If you find that there are still small bits of fruit in the cider, you can strain the drink again through a cheesecloth. This will ensure there are no chunks and it is all cider!

How to Serve and Store Slow Cooker Apple Cider

This apple cider is the perfect fall or winter drink. You can serve it withSimple Maple Sugar Cookiesas a sweet snack, or withSlow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup. Apple cider is also a great drink to serve when hosting a holiday party since it can be made in large batches and kept warm in the slow cooker for hours! To garnish your drink, you can add additional cut orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

If you have leftover apple cider or just want to save it for later, this tasty drink will stay good in your fridge for up to a week. Store the cider in a pitcher with a lid or a mason jar and enjoy as you wish!