Description

This cozy slow cooker apple cider with orange and cinnamon is the perfect fall drink. It’s incredibly easy to make with simple, real ingredients and fills your house with an amazing aroma.

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups (64 oz) apple juice or apple cider
1 large orange, sliced
4–5 cinnamon sticks
4–5 whole cloves
2 star anise (optional)
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Wash the orange thoroughly and slice it into thin rounds, about ¼-inch thick.
Pour the 8 cups of apple juice (or cider, or a mix) into your slow cooker.
Add the orange slices, 4-5 cinnamon sticks, 4-5 whole cloves, and 2 star anise (if using). If using a vanilla bean, split it and scrape the seeds into the liquid, then toss the pod in. If using vanilla extract, wait until the end.
Give it a gentle stir with a wooden spoon to make sure everything is submerged.
Put the lid on the slow cooker. Set it to LOW for 4-6 hours, or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
After it’s done simmering, taste it. If not sweet enough, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey.
If you didn’t use a vanilla bean, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract now.
If you want a perfectly clear cider, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher or directly into mugs. Otherwise, serve directly from the slow cooker.
Ladle the cider into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin slice of apple or orange if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t let it simmer for more than 6 hours on LOW, as the orange peel can start to release a slightly bitter flavor. If making for a party, you can keep it on the ‘WARM’ setting for a few hours after it’s done, but remove the orange slices after the initial simmer to prevent bitterness.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 8 ounces
Calories: 120
Sugar: 26
Sodium: 10
Carbohydrates: 30

Keywords: slow cooker apple cider, apple cider, fall drink, mulled cider, cinnamon, orange, cozy drink