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Easy Homemade Crockpot Apple Cider with Orange and Cloves

crockpot apple cider with orange and cloves - featured image
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This crockpot apple cider is warm, comforting, and fills your home with a cozy, spiced aroma. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, it’s the perfect drink for holiday gatherings or quiet fall afternoons.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 ounces apple cider or apple juice
  • 1 large orange, sliced
  • 4–5 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2–3 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Fresh apple slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pour the entire 64 ounces of apple cider or apple juice into your crockpot. Turn the heat to low.
  2. Wash the orange thoroughly and slice it into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick.
  3. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise pods (if using).
  4. Drizzle in the maple syrup or sprinkle in the brown sugar. Start with 2 tablespoons.
  5. If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot, then toss in the pod. If using vanilla extract, wait until the end to add it.
  6. Give everything a gentle stir with a wooden spoon or ladle.
  7. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Taste after 2 hours and adjust sweetness or spices if needed.
  8. When ready to serve, place a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl or pitcher and pour the cider through to strain out the whole spices and orange slices.
  9. Ladle the strained cider into mugs. Garnish with a fresh apple slice or a cinnamon stick if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the spices; less is more. Low and slow is the way to go to avoid bitterness. Strain twice for a cleaner drink if serving for a party. This cider actually gets better after it sits, so you can make it a day ahead. Use a tea infuser for easy removal of spices if you want to skip the straining step. Taste and adjust sweetness or spices after 2 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot apple cider, slow cooker apple cider, spiced apple cider, homemade apple cider, apple cider with orange and cloves, fall drink, holiday drink, warm apple cider

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/easy-homemade-crockpot-apple-cider-with-orange-and-cloves/