This Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider is perfect for fall parties. Easy to make and delicious to drink, make a kid-friendly batch and keep some brandy on the side for the grown-ups!
I’m sharing with you an updated recipe for this amazing Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider. It is very easy to throw together and perfect when you serve it with a bottle of brandy next to the slow cooker. That way your crockpot apple cider is kept warm and stays kid-friendly while having the option of a boozy treat for the adults.
An ABSOLUTE must for Halloween. A huge hit during our neighborhood celebration.
Spiced Apple Cider Ingredients
Most apple cider is not all that different from apple juice (more on that in a minute). But by adding all these spices to our drink while slowly warming it up, we are really mixing things up. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe including all measurements.
- Apple cider: Provides a rich, natural sweetness and tangy flavor. It’s unfiltered and often contains pulp, making it different from apple juice. You can use store-bought or homemade cider. This recipe can also be made with apple juice.
- Oranges: Adding fresh orange slices infuses a bright, citrusy flavor that balances the spices and adds a fresh note to the cider.
- Cinnamon sticks: These add a warm, sweet spice that’s essential for that cozy, autumnal feel. As they simmer in the crockpot, they infuse the cider with a deep, fragrant cinnamon flavor.
- Star of anise: Adds a subtle licorice-like flavor that pairs perfectly with the warm spices in the cider. If you don’t like the smell, leave this out. Read more on this below.
- Whole cloves: Press them into the oranges to avoid having to fish them out at the end while still infusing the perfect amount of spice.
- Brandy: And of course, if you want to make this spiked apple cider you will need some brandy.
The Best Slow Cooker
How to Make Spiced Apple Cider in The Crockpot
This caffeine-free, perfect-for-fall crockpot apple cider is super simple. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Put the cloves in the oranges. Press them right into the peel so you don’t have to fish them out at the end.
- Combine the ingredients. Add your apple cider, oranges, spices, and blank to the base of your slow cooker
- Cook and enjoy! Cook the cider on low for four hours. Enjoy in mugs while warm.
The Difference Between Apple Cider and Apple Juice
Like I mentioned, you can use either apple cider or apple juice in this recipe. Apple cider is less processed and unfiltered than apple juice, resulting in a cloudy appearance and a more natural, slightly tangy flavor. Apple juice tends to have a sweeter flavor because it’s often made from concentrate with added sugars. Depending on the brand you are buying, there is very little difference in it.
Serving Apple Cider
This spiced apple cider is best enjoyed warm right out of the slow cooker. You can keep the crock pot on warm for up to two hours and serve the hot apple cider with a soup ladle into your favorite mugs. If you want to garnish each mug, add a cinnamon stick or orange slice.
Tips and Tricks For Crockpot Apple Cider
There are a few little things that make this recipe a little easier. But they are all optional; I’ve done it a number of different ways.
- Make small little holes in the sides of the orange slices and put your whole cloves in there. It will save you from fishing them out at the end of cooking. Alternatively, you could use tea strainers for your cloves. Another option would be to wrap them in a coffee filter.
- When I smell star anise all I can think of is licorice, which is not my favorite. I often choose to leave it out of this recipe (which is why it reads as optional), but if you smell it and love it, add it!
- A final note, as it is a question out there: If you buy 100% juice, this spiced apple cider recipe will be gluten free. Just be sure to read the labels.
Spiked Apple Cider
Traditionally, spiced apple cider is paired with brandy. If brandy isn’t your jam, I would highly suggest Fireball Whiskey or another cinnamon whiskey. (You all know from my Fireball Fudge and my Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria how much I love Fireball.)
The reason we leave out the alcohol until the end is because it will cook some of the alcohol off and it’s also just not necessary to heat your alcohol up. The drink will be plenty warm without that being warmed. Also, it is a great way to keep this recipe for the kids and the adults. You can find the full recipe including all measurements at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover spiced cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat only the portion you plan to drink in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat.
Other Perfect Fall Drinks
If you are throwing a party and want something else alongside this Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider, try some of these:
If you make any of these or this slow cooker apple cider, leave me a comment and let me know!
Slow Cooker Spiked Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 2 oranges sliced
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise pods optional
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 2 cups brandy
Instructions
- After slicing the oranges, make small holes in the rinds with the tip of a knife and insert the cloves in them so that they don't float free in the cider.
- In a 6 quart slow cooker, combine the cider, oranges, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and cloves. Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Just before serving, add the brandy or keep it on the side.
Recipe Video
Notes
Beth says
I love Fireball too. I did make your fireball fudge and it was delicious❤️
And last year for Thanksgiving I made fireball cranberry sauce which was the bomb but I can’t remember where I got the recipe from.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah W says
Any thoughts on using a spiced rum (like Sailor Jerry) versus Brandy? Do you think it would pair well? I don’t love Brandy. Thanks!!
I think that could be really good, or if you like Fireball, that is fantastic in this.
Sean says
An ABSOLUTE must for Halloween. A huge hit during our neighborhood celebration.
I’m so glad that it was a hit!
Coree says
I am excited to make your spiced cider. In addition I will add apple pucker alcohol with same amount of hot damn.
I hope you enjoy it!
Sharyl says
Trying to decide between Apple cider and apple juice- read the note about it, just wondering from those that have made this which is best with this recipe- what did you use?
Edith says
What apples do you recommend are best to add to the cup of cider when serving?
It’s really just personal preference. Granny Smith or Gala are my favorite, and both are pretty crisp so they would hold up in the warm liquid.
Kevin J Breen says
Looks great will be trying this when the family come around next week
I hope you love it!
K.Lee says
Hi Lisa! I see apples in the photos of your Spiked Apple Cider but I don’t see apples in the recipe. Do I just add apple slices in the cups when serving?
Can’t wait to make your recipe!
Thank you for answering my question.
Yup! I just use them for a garnish at the end. But cinnamon sticks make a great garnish too.
Nancee says
How do you store and reheat the cider?
Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. And reheat individual sized portions (because anything reheated will need to be consumed or discarded; don’t reheat leftovers twice), on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Tracy says
This will be the 3rd year of making this for our town Christmas Walk. The first year I had about half of a cup left. 2nd year, none. We do it without alcohol, and it’s warm and hits the spot!
I’m so glad this has become part of your holiday traditions!