Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon (8 cups) apple cider
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp whole allspice berries
- 2 star anise (optional)
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional, to taste)
- Extra cinnamon sticks, for serving
Instructions
- Load the cooker. Pour the cider into a slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves (in a tea ball if you have one), allspice, star anise (if using), and orange slices.
- Simmer low and slow. Cover and cook on LOW 3-4 hours (or HIGH 1 1/2-2 hours), until fragrant and steaming.
- Taste and sweeten. Taste the cider; stir in brown sugar a tablespoon at a time only if your cider needs it — good cider often needs none.
- Strain if you like. Fish out the whole spices with a slotted spoon, or strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a crystal-clear cider.
- Keep warm and serve. Switch to WARM and ladle into mugs. Add a fresh cinnamon stick to each mug for the full effect.
💡 Cider smarts
Put the cloves in a tea ball or cheesecloth sachet — fishing whole cloves out of guests' mugs is no fun. Taste before adding any sugar; quality cider is often sweet enough on its own. It can hold on warm for hours, which is exactly why this is the ultimate party drink.
Common questions
How long can cider sit in the slow cooker?
On the warm setting, up to 4 hours — it only gets better. Stir occasionally and keep it covered.
Can I spike it for adults?
Yes — add bourbon or spiced rum per mug, not to the whole batch, so everyone can choose.
What do I do with leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 5 days and reheat gently. It's also excellent as a base for mulled wine.
Fresh-pressed or store-bought cider?
Unfiltered fresh-pressed cider is the gold standard, but good store-bought cider works beautifully too.
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