Crockpot Mulled Apple Cider
This crockpot mulled apple cider is one of those easy recipes that makes the whole house smell like fall. It takes just a few simple ingredients and a little time in the slow cooker or stovetop to make a warm, spiced cider that’s perfect for serving on a chilly afternoon or when friends and family come over. It’s an easy favorite to make throughout the fall and winter months.
One of my very favorite things during the fall and winter months is to have a crockpot of cider or hot chocolate on the counter. Not only does it warm you from tip to toe, but it fills the house with the most delightful aroma–the kind that candles try and capture but can’t quite do completely. If you love apple cider, you must try this mulled cider recipe. It adds another depth of flavor with the best fall spices, including cloves, orange, and cinnamon. Make it on the stovetop or crockpot, serve to family, friends, and any fall gathering. Everyone will love it!
Best of all, it’s just so easy. Put everything in the crockpot (or on the stovetop), and let it simmer for a few hours. You’ll love the festive scent wafting through your home, and then enjoy a steaming cup of mulled apple cider. It’s fall at its best.
Table of contents
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Ingredients
- Apple juice or apple cider
- Whole cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Oranges
- Apple
How to make
Pour the apple juice into your crockpot or large pot. Slice an orange, and add them to juice. Squeeze the juice of the second orange into the pot. You can also do half of an orange for each instead, if you prefer. Cut an apple into thin slices, and place a few to the crockpot. Add the cloves and cinnamon sticks. If at all possible, use whole spices instead of substituting ground spices–the flavor is much more intense and will give you a better overall result.
Crockpot directions: Heat on low for 2-2.5 hours until heated through.
Stovetop directions: On medium to medium-high, heat just until it’s about to boil, then cover and turn it down to low/simmer until ready to serve. Don’t let the cider come to a boil, it makes it more bitter.
If you prefer your cider a bit sweeter, or it’s a little tart, add a tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup and taste–add more as desired. Keep warm on the stove or in the crockpot while serving.
Tip: 12 cups will fit in a 5-quart crockpot. If you need to make more, you can do up to 16 cups in a 5-quart, 20-22 in a 6-quart, and 24-26 in a 7-quart crockpot. You can also make a smaller amount if needed for the stovetop method. Alter your spices accordingly.
Recipe notes
Strain the cider, then pour in a sealed glass jar or pitcher. It will last in the fridge between 3-5 days. When ready to reheat, pour into crockpot or large pot, and on a low temp, heat through. You can also freeze apple cider for up to 6 months–see details below.
Yes, you can freeze it! It’s a great way to save extra cider and enjoy it later, especially when you have more than you can drink before it goes bad.
Pour the cider into a freezer-safe container, leaving some extra space at the top since the liquid will expand as it freezes. You can also freeze it in smaller portions or freezer bags if you’d like to thaw only what you need.
When you’re ready to use it, thaw the cider in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving. The flavor should hold up well, although the cider may look slightly different after freezing.
Frozen apple cider is best used within about 6 months for the best flavor and quality. And yes, this works for mulled apple cider, too! If you have leftover cider from a batch made in the crockpot, freezing it is an easy way to save it for another cozy day.
The main difference is spices and how it’s served:
Apple cider – Fresh, unfiltered apple juice with a naturally rich, slightly tart apple flavor. It can be served cold or warmed, and it doesn’t necessarily contain spices.
Mulled apple cider – Apple cider that is heated and infused with spices, typically cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, star anise, and sometimes orange or lemon. “Mulled” essentially means gently heated with spices and aromatics.
More fall recipes
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Mulled Apple Cider
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 cups apple juice or apple cider
- 1-2 oranges
- 1 apple
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- brown sugar or maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Pour the apple juice into your crockpot or large pot. Slice an orange, and add them to juice. Squeeze the juice of the second orange into the pot. You can also do half of an orange for each instead, if you prefer. Cut an apple into thin slices, and place a few to the crockpot. Add the cloves and cinnamon sticks. If at all possible, use whole spices instead of substituting ground spices–the flavor is much more intense and will give you a better overall result.
- Crockpot directions: Heat on low for 2-2.5 hours until heated through.
- Stovetop directions: On medium to medium-high, heat just until it’s about to boil, then cover and turn it down to low/simmer until ready to serve.
- If you prefer your cider a bit sweeter, or it’s a little tart, add a tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup and taste–add more as desired. Keep warm on the stove or in the crockpot while serving.