Print

Cozy Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe with Cinnamon and Orange

crockpot apple cider with cinnamon and orange - featured image
Print Recipe

A warm, spiced apple cider made in the slow cooker with apples, orange, and cinnamon. Perfect for fall and winter gatherings, this easy recipe fills your home with a comforting aroma and delivers a perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and cut into wedges
  • 1 large navel orange, sliced into thin rounds
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 2–3 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or brown sugar (to taste)
  • 8 cups (about 2 liters) unfiltered apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and orange thoroughly. Core the apples and cut them into wedges (about 1-inch chunks). Slice the orange into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Leave the peel on both.
  2. Place the apple wedges and orange slices into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise (if using).
  3. Pour the apple cider (or juice) and water over the fruit and spices. Add the maple syrup or brown sugar. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sweetener.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Set to LOW and cook for 6-8 hours. Alternatively, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, but the longer simmer on LOW deepens the flavor.
  5. About an hour before serving, taste the cider and adjust sweetness or spice as needed. Add more maple syrup if desired, or additional cinnamon sticks or cloves for more spice.
  6. When ready to serve, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl or serving pitcher. Ladle the cider through the strainer to remove fruit solids and spices. Discard solids.
  7. Ladle the warm cider into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick, a thin apple slice, or a star anise pod if desired.

Notes

For best flavor, use unfiltered apple cider and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Don’t overdo the cloves—1 teaspoon is plenty. Strain before serving to avoid biting into whole spices. Leftover cider can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot apple cider, slow cooker apple cider, cinnamon apple cider, orange apple cider, mulled cider, fall drink, winter drink, homemade cider

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-crockpot-apple-cider-recipe-with-cinnamon-and-orange/