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Perfect Slow Cooker Apple Cider Sangria: Easy Party Drink

Slow cooker apple cider sangria - featured image
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This warm, spiced sangria is made effortlessly in the slow cooker, combining apple cider, red wine, and brandy with seasonal fruit for the ultimate hands-off fall party drink.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel)
  • 4 cups (950 ml) apple cider
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) brandy
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau)
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 2 large apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala), cored and sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 large orange, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 pear (optional), sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples, orange, and pear (if using). Core the apples and pear and slice into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Slice the orange into similar rounds, leaving the peel on.
  2. Place the sliced apples, orange, and pear (if using) into the slow cooker. Add fresh cranberries if desired.
  3. Pour the entire bottle of red wine over the fruit, followed by the apple cider, brandy, and orange liqueur. Stir gently.
  4. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise (if using). Stir again to help the sugar dissolve.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and set to LOW for 2-3 hours or HIGH for 1-1.5 hours. Do not let it boil.
  6. After about an hour, taste and adjust sweetness or spices as needed.
  7. Once hot and flavors have melded, turn the slow cooker to the ‘Warm’ setting. Ladle into mugs, including some of the fruit in each serving.

Notes

Do not overcook; 2 hours on low is ideal. Use whole spices to avoid cloudiness. Can be prepped ahead by slicing fruit and measuring liquids the night before. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine, brandy, and orange liqueur with extra apple cider and strong brewed chai tea.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker sangria, apple cider sangria, warm sangria, fall party drink, easy sangria recipe, mulled wine alternative

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/perfect-slow-cooker-apple-cider-sangria-easy-party-drink/