Description
Warm and comforting Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider infused with orange juice, lemon juice, and a special apple cider spice mix. Perfect for cozy gatherings or chilly days, this easy recipe fills your home with the delicious aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquids
- 6 cups apple cider (or unfiltered apple juice)
- 2 cups orange juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
Spices
- 4 tablespoons Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix (or equivalent blend of sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
Garnishes
- Apple slices
- Orange slices
- Cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Prep: For this recipe, a 4-6 quart slow cooker works best. If you double the recipe, use a 7-8 quart slow cooker, and for a half batch, a 2-3 quart slow cooker is ideal. Gather and measure all your ingredients.
- Add everything to the slow cooker: Pour in the apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice. Stir in the Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix or your homemade blend of sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Using whole spices or a spice bag can facilitate easy removal after cooking, but ground spices work as well.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to gently infuse and fills your home with a warm, inviting aroma. If you’re short on time, cook on HIGH for 1½ to 2 hours.
- Keep warm for serving: Once cooking is complete, switch your slow cooker to the “warm” setting for up to 2 hours so guests can serve themselves anytime. Add fresh apple and orange slices along with cinnamon sticks just before serving to keep the garnishes looking vibrant and fresh.
Notes
- Use a spice bag with whole spices for an easier cleanup and spicier infusion.
- You can adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of spice mix or adding a bit of honey or maple syrup if desired.
- Leftover cider can be refrigerated for up to 5 days and reheated gently before serving.
- For an adult version, consider adding a splash of bourbon or rum just before serving.
