With fresh apple cider readily available, you won’t want to miss whipping up a batch of Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider. Whole spices, fruit and cider simmer to make a comforting hot drink to fight the chill of winter.
Winter’s chill has set in for us. The wind is screaming outside as I am writing this. One of my weather apps just blared on my iPhone that a severe weather alert is in effect from rush hour today until tomorrow. Bring it on, I say! If it’s freezing outside we might as well have some snow to make it pretty. I’m celebrating with a steaming hot batch of Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider!
Hot Mulled Wine is winter tradition originating in Northern Europe. Red wine is heated and combined with aromatic spices to make a cozy beverage to sip fireside in the winter. I shared a recipe for a Scandinavian version of mulled wine called Glogg in the early days of Boulder Locavore. It’s delicious and the spices can be combined (dry) with a bottle of wine and the recipe as a great hostess gift!
For youngsters and those preferring not to drink alcohol, slow cooker mulled apple cider is a great alternative! Anything taking advantage of the fix-it-and-forget-it ease of the slow cooker is my speed this time of year too. I love the availability of fresh apple cider at this time of year. If you aren’t sure about the difference between apple juice and apple cider, apple cider is unfiltered (which is why it has a cloudy appearance). Personally I love the more rustic quality of the apple particles that swirl around as you drink it. It has a naturally sweet flavor as well making it easy to build on for this delicious slow cooker mulled apple cider recipe.
There is nothing better than coming inside after a chilly outing to pick up a Christmas tree, decorating the house outside with lights or some holiday shopping, to be greeted with a house smelling of spiced cider! I really think it is the homiest smell ever. It’s great to make up a batch before going out to do some Christmas caroling too (does anyone do that anymore?) so it’s piping hot when you return home.
This recipe uses whole spices for a few reasons. Whole spices are easier to strain out before serving. Also ground spices can create a undesirable gritty texture to hot drinks in my opinion. If you don’t want to deal with straining the cider, the allspice berries, cloves and cardamom pods can be wrapped in a sachet made of cheesecloth, tossed into the cider and then easily removed once the cider is done simmering. Personally, I love the look of clove-studded fruit and find adding the cloves to the rind of the orange slices to be both pretty as well as it keeps them out of the way of scooping into a mug!
I love making hot drinks in the winter using the slow cooker. Slow Cooker Hot Buttered Rum is another favorite. It is made adding the alcohol in serving cups so those wishing the warm, buttery drink booze-less can enjoy it too ‘as is’ from the slow cooker. A dash of rum extract can also be added for the warming flavor of rum and no alcohol.
Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 1 gallon Apple Cider
- 1 large Orange , cut into ½ inch slices
- Peel from 1 medium Lemon (use a vegetable slicer or paring knife and avoid the pith)
- 2 teaspoons Whole Cloves
- 2 teaspoons Allspice Berries
- 1 inch fresh Ginger Root , thinly sliced
- 6 Cardamom Pods
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
Instructions
- In a large (6 quart or larger) slow cooker add all the ingredients and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Spices can be strained before serving by using a sieve.
- Tip: to add the cloves to the rind of the orange slices, make small holes with the sharp end of a bamboo skewer first, then the cloves will insert easily and not break in the process.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds so delicious! Mulled cider is one of the coziest things you can have on a cold, winter day. I can’t wait to try this.
Jen Rattie says
I think it’s time to bust out the slow cooker! That sounds fully awesome. I might just add a splash of bourbon to it for an adult twist.
Toni Dash says
I will admit spiking it also crossed my mind LOL! I think you could let people spike a serving and still have it for those who don’t want alcohol too.
Janell Poulette says
I have never had apple cider, but this sounds so comforting on a long winter day. It has been so rainy and cold here the last few days, i almost wish it would just know already! I think ill have to ask my husband to bring these ingredients home so i can prep this for tomorrow!
Toni Dash says
This would be perfect to take the edge off the damp chill Janell!
dawn says
oh my this looks so delish. and thirst quenching. love it
Tracey says
Well I’ll be getting my slow cooker out this holiday season! What a delicious looking way to make apple cider.
Toni Dash says
Glad you like it Tracey! So easy too.
Jeanette says
I would love something like this. For Christmas I’m getting my husband a crockpot and I think this might be one of the first things we make in it.
Connie says
This looks absolutely delicious. I bet it makes your house smell heavenly.
Cassie Tucker says
This is a great recipe for Christmas parties! I know plenty of people that prefer not to drink and I don’t want them to feel left out with traditional, alcoholic punch as the only option.
Kelly Hutchinson says
This is the perfect holiday drink. It is as pretty as it looks tasty!
Anne Parris says
I bet this smells amazing! We by a lot of cider this time of year since there are so many great orchards here in Virginia. I need to jazz it up like this. Pinning this for later.
Shauna says
This reminds me of the apple cider we used to drink in Europe at the holiday events. It was so cold, that year and the hot cider was amazing. I will definitely be making this, this year. Thanks for sharing
Nancy @ whispered inspirations says
Yummy! This would be an awesome drink to welcome your guest that come over for the holidays! And your house would smell delicious!
Marcie W. says
I have never attempted a beverage in my slow cooker, but this is a fabulous idea. I love that it makes the entire house smell amazing too!
Gabriel says
This is beyond amazing. We do it for special occasions and it tastes and smells great.
Stacie says
I love using my slow cooker to make hot drinks. It’s nice to have them ready to serve when you come in after an outing.
Amy says
Mulled cider is my favorite holiday drink! I could enjoy it every day!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This slow cooker mulled apple cider looks so delicious. I have never tried to make my own before. I bet it smells amazing when it is cooking.
gingermommyrants says
I love a nice hot mug of mulled apple cider in the Winter. I will have to try this recipe on the weekend. My kids are going to love it.
Kathy says
This looks very good. I’ve never had mulled apple cider, but I’ve had just apple cider. I’ll have to give this a try. I’m sure it will taste great too.
Pam says
I want to serve a fun and festive drink for Christmas, but a lot of my family doesn’t or can’t drink alcohol. This mulled apple cider would be perfect.
Crystal says
There’s nothing more Christmasy-y than the smell of cinnamon. Can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend while we decorate and bake.
Hali @daytodayMOMents says
This sounds and looks amazing! I have never made it before, so thanks for the recipe!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This looks like an unique preparation!
I bet it is yummy.
Maureen says
What an easy way to make some mulled apple cider, I am not sure why I hadn’t thought of using the slow cooker for this before. Appreciate the recipe to make this!
Melissa@thestatenislandfamily.com says
We are hosting a dinner party this weekend and we’re still narrowing down our drink menu! After reading this post I know what I will be adding to our menu!
Kristin says
This sounds so delicious. I love having a hot apple cider on a cold day. I love that the recipe is so easy! Thank you
Brianne says
I’ve been looking for a recipe for this and yours looks delicious! So making this over the weekend!
Toni Dash says
I’m so glad! We just got our first snow storm with temps in the single digits today. I have the slow cooker plugged in and warming some up now.
Tess says
Slow cookers are great for great recipes that add great smells in the house. I bet that would fantastic!
Autumn Reo says
This is a great recipe for a party! It definitely checks all the boxes. Start it ahead of time. Let it smell up your house beautifully. When it’s time to serve, you can just have a cinnamon whisky there for the grown ups to add. I love this.
Toni Dash says
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I will say I added a bit of rum to a mug of it last night and it was great!
Jeanine says
Yum this looks delicious. I love apple cider but haven’t ever made it myself, this looks tasty and easy enough for me to make!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Another reason why the slow cooker is best to have in the kitchen! I am saving this recipe. It would be so nice to have spiced apple cider on a cold winter night.
Christina Aliperti says
This cider looks so good. I can almost smell the scent in the air as it heats in the slow cooker.
Tonia @TheChattyMomma says
I especially love this season for the cider.
I haven’t made any yet, but I bought some K-cups and that’s been great.
Toni Dash says
I have hot cider Kcups too; don’t you love that? This slow cooker recipe is really delicious too!
Lindsey Paris says
This looks super delicious. I have never made an apple cider before but this looks easy enough.