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Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider: The Best Easy Cozy Fall Drink

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This Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider is the perfect cozy fall drink that fills your home with the warm scents of cinnamon and clove. It’s simple to make with pantry ingredients and naturally sweetened, making it ideal for gatherings or quiet evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (64 oz) apple cider
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 large apple, sliced into rounds
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 3–4 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Fresh apple slices (for garnish, optional)
  • Orange peel twists (for garnish, optional)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (for garnish, optional)
  • Star anise (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the apple and orange thoroughly. Slice them into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Remove any seeds from the apple slices. Poke a few of the whole cloves directly into the orange peel.
  2. Layer the fruit slices at the bottom of a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and allspice berries. Pour the apple cider over everything. If using a vanilla bean, split it and scrape the seeds into the pot, then toss the pod in too.
  3. Drizzle in the maple syrup or sprinkle in the brown sugar. Start with 2 tablespoons. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Cover the crockpot and set it to LOW for 4-6 hours, or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, taste the cider and adjust sweetness or spice as needed. Add a tiny pinch of salt if desired.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, remove the large fruit slices and spice pieces. Pour the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or directly into mugs. Serve hot, garnished with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks if desired.

Notes

Don’t boil the cider; high heat can make spices bitter. For a deeper flavor, toast the spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding. The cider can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge; flavors will meld and deepen. For a boozy version, stir in ½ cup bourbon, dark rum, or brandy after straining.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot spiced apple cider, easy fall drink, slow cooker apple cider, homemade apple cider, cozy fall beverage

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/crockpot-spiced-apple-cider-the-best-easy-cozy-fall-drink/