Description
This cozy slow cooker spiced cranberry apple cider is the perfect fall drink, combining tart cranberries, sweet apple cider, and warm spices for a deeply comforting beverage that fills your home with an irresistible aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups (64 ounces) apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 large orange, thinly sliced
- 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 4–5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 4–5 star anise pods
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
- 1–2 strips fresh ginger (about 2 inches each), peeled and sliced into thin coins
- 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh cranberries and apple slices for garnish (optional)
- Additional cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
- Star anise pods for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the fruit and spices: Rinse the cranberries and pick out any stems or soft ones. Slice the orange into thin rounds (about ¼-inch thick). Peel the ginger and slice it into thin coins. If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise with a paring knife and scrape the seeds into the pot.
- Combine everything in the slow cooker: Pour the apple cider into the slow cooker. Add the cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, allspice berries, ginger slices, and vanilla bean (or extract). If you’re using maple syrup or honey, add it now. Give everything a gentle stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours: Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic. The cider is ready when the cranberries have softened and burst, the orange slices are translucent, and the liquid is deeply fragrant. You can also cook it on high for 2 hours if you’re short on time, but low and slow gives you a more nuanced flavor.
- Taste and adjust: After 3 hours, ladle a small amount into a mug and taste it. Is it sweet enough? If not, stir in another tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. Is the spice level right? If it’s too mild, let it cook another 30 minutes. If it’s too strong, remove some of the whole spices.
- Strain the cider: Using a ladle, carefully transfer the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large heatproof pitcher or directly into mugs. Discard the solids (or compost them). If you prefer a rustic look, you can leave the fruit and spices in the pot and ladle around them.
- Serve warm: Pour the strained cider into mugs and garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick, a few cranberries, or a star anise pod. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use whole spices rather than ground for a cleaner infusion. The cider will continue to develop flavor as it sits; it’s at its peak on day two. Strain before storing to prevent spices from becoming overpowering. For a spiked version, add ½ cup bourbon, dark rum, or brandy to the finished cider.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 120140
- Sugar: 2428
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 3035
- Fiber: 2
Keywords: slow cooker spiced cranberry apple cider, homemade apple cider, cranberry apple cider, fall drink, warm cider, slow cooker drink, holiday beverage