Slow Cooker Apple Cider is one of those recipes I look forward to making every holiday season. It’s easy to make, and the smell of apple cider simmering with oranges, lemons, and spices all day in the slow cooker is absolutely wonderful.
Last year, I shared my Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider recipe, and this year I thought I would share the original! You can use any kind of apple juice you want, but if you can find the fresh pressed apple cider in the stores, it is especially delicious in this recipe. I start with two large oranges, one lemon, and the spices. My favorite tip is to check the Hispanic section of your grocery store for the spices. Mine always has a bag of cinnamon sticks for around a dollar, while in the spice aisle they can be six dollars or more!
Cut the oranges into thick slices and use whole cloves to stud the orange skin. Just push the pointy end of the clove into the orange skin. If you are in a time crunch, you can throw the cloves in the slow cooker, but oranges studded with cloves are so pretty, and a holiday favorite! Float the fruit slices and the spices in the apple juice and let simmer in the slow cooker on low for at least 4 hours.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider can be made ahead as well. Just prepare all the ingredients and keep the slow cooker insert in the refrigerator until ready to heat.
I mentioned a few weeks ago in my Slow Cooker Meatloaf recipe that I had finally bought a new slow cooker, and I am still really happy with it
- 1 gallon of apple juice
- 2 oranges
- 1 lemon
- 1 oz of cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon of whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon of whole allspice
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Pour apple juice into large slow cooker.
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Cut oranges and lemons into large slices.
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Push whole cloves into orange skin all the way around slice.
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Float clove studded orange slices and lemon slices in apple juice.
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Add cinnamon sticks and sprinkle in allspice.
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Cook on low for 4-8 hours.
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Strain and serve.
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Wow, this looks amazing, and I bet it makes the whole house smell wonderful!
Sounds DELISH! I have everything on the ingredient list except oranges. Would it be gross to just add a bit of Orange Juice with the apple? I don’t live near a grocery store and would love to make this soon.
Hi Brooke!
I think that would work just fine, though I haven’t tried it myself. Let us know if you do!
Is this apple juice like the clear yellow juice? Or the apple cider that come in a gallon jug that you can’t see through. I don’t know if the name of what I call apple cider changes regionally or not.
I have used both and they both come out great!