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Cozy Slow Cooker Apple Cider for Cold Weather Gatherings

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This cozy slow cooker apple cider is the perfect drink for cold weather gatherings. Made with fresh apples, citrus, and warm spices, it fills your home with a comforting aroma and tastes like a warm hug in a mug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8–10 medium apples, quartered (a mix of sweet and tart, like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith)
  • 1 large orange, sliced
  • 1 large lemon, sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 vanilla bean, split (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 star anise pod (optional)
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced (optional)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick extra (optional)
  • Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise (for garnish)
  • Bourbon, rum, or brandy (optional, for a spiked version)
  • Whipped cream or cinnamon whipped cream (optional, for a dessert-like treat)

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit. Wash the apples, orange, and lemon thoroughly. Quarter the apples (no need to peel or core). Slice the orange and lemon into rounds about ¼-inch thick.
  2. Bundle the spices. Place the whole cloves and allspice berries in a piece of cheesecloth or a tea ball. Tie it up tightly with kitchen twine.
  3. Layer the ingredients. Place the quartered apples, sliced orange, and sliced lemon in the slow cooker. Nestle the cinnamon sticks and the spice bundle in among the fruit. If you’re using star anise or ginger, add them now.
  4. Add the sweeteners and vanilla. Drizzle the maple syrup and honey over the fruit. If you’re using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot, then toss the pod in too. If using extract, add it later.
  5. Pour in the water. Add enough water to just cover the fruit — about 8 cups.
  6. Cook low and slow. Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  7. Mash the fruit (optional but recommended). After the cooking time is up, use a potato masher or a wooden spoon to gently mash the apples and citrus in the pot.
  8. Strain the cider. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Carefully pour the cider through the strainer, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract every last drop. Discard the solids.
  9. Taste and adjust. Give the cider a taste. If you want it sweeter, stir in a little more maple syrup or honey. If you want more spice, add a pinch of cinnamon or a few extra cloves.
  10. Serve warm. Pour the cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Garnish with a fresh apple slice, a cinnamon stick, or a star anise pod. If you’re serving a crowd, keep the slow cooker on WARM with the lid on.

Notes

For a clearer cider, strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth after the initial strain. The cider tastes even better the next day. To make it vegan, replace honey with maple syrup. For a low-sugar version, reduce sweeteners to 2 tablespoons each.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker apple cider, apple cider, fall drink, warm apple cider, mulled cider, slow cooker drink, holiday drink, apple cider recipe

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/cozy-slow-cooker-apple-cider-for-cold-weather-gatherings/