Introduction

Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider is a warm, fragrant drink perfect for chilly days and cozy gatherings. Infused with oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and a splash of brandy, it fills your home with inviting aromas and offers a delightful balance of spice and sweetness.

A black slow cooker filled with a warm light brown liquid has six bright orange slices floating on the surface, arranged in a spread-out pattern. There are three cinnamon sticks placed on top of the liquid, each resting on or near an orange slice. Small star anise and black cloves are scattered around the liquid, some floating and some settled. The slow cooker is placed on a white marbled surface, with more cinnamon sticks and star anise scattered nearby, and a cloth with red floral patterns partially visible in the top left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider
2 oranges, sliced
5 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise pods (optional)
1 tbsp whole cloves
2 cups brandy, apple brandy, or Fireball whiskey

Instructions

Step 1: Slice the oranges and make small holes in the rinds with a knife. Insert the whole cloves into the holes to keep them from floating in the cider.
Step 2: In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the apple cider, sliced oranges with cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods (if using), and whole cloves.
Step 3: Cook the mixture on low for four hours, letting the spices infuse the cider with warmth and flavor.
Step 4: Just before serving, stir in the brandy or your choice of liquor.
Step 5: Serve warm in mugs, garnished with extra cinnamon sticks or star anise if desired. Enjoy the cozy flavors!

Tips & Variations

Use whole spices instead of ground for a cleaner, more infused flavor.
Try Fireball whiskey for an added cinnamon kick or apple brandy for a sweeter note.
Add the liquor to each glass individually to offer non-alcoholic options for kids and adults alike.
Keep the cloves attached to the orange peel to prevent them from floating freely in the cider.

Storage

Store any leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm desired portions gently on the stove over low heat or microwave in a mug until hot. Add fresh brandy or whiskey after reheating if preferred.

How to Serve

A black slow cooker filled with a warm brown liquid with five bright orange slices floating on the surface. Among the orange slices are three cinnamon sticks, and several star anise and whole cloves scattered throughout the liquid. The slow cooker is placed on a white marbled surface with some cinnamon sticks and star anise around it. A white cloth with a red and yellow floral pattern is partially visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cider without alcohol?

Yes, simply omit the brandy or whiskey and enjoy the spiced cider as a flavorful non-alcoholic drink.

How do I prevent the cloves from floating in the cider?

By inserting the whole cloves into small holes in the orange slices before adding them to the slow cooker, the cloves will stay anchored and won’t float freely in the cider.

Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 70 reviews

Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider is a warm, cozy fall drink infused with fragrant oranges, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and optionally spiked with brandy or whiskey. Slow-cooked in a crockpot to meld the spices, this cider makes for an inviting beverage perfect for cold weather and holiday gatherings.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 18 drinks 1x
Category: Drinks
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Spiced Apple Cider Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider
2 oranges, sliced
5 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise pods (optional)
1 tbsp whole cloves
2 cups brandy or apple brandy, or Fireball whiskey

Instructions

Prepare the Oranges: Slice the oranges and make small holes in the rinds with a knife. Insert whole cloves into the holes to keep them from floating in the cider during cooking.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the apple cider, orange slices with cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods (if using), and the whole cloves to the crockpot.
Cook Slowly: Set the crockpot to cook on low heat for 4 hours. This slow infusion gently melds the spices with the cider, filling your home with warm aromas.
Add Alcohol Before Serving: Just before serving, pour in the brandy, apple brandy, or Fireball whiskey. Stir the cider well to mix the liquor evenly.
Serve Warm: Ladle the hot spiced cider into mugs, garnishing with extra cinnamon sticks or star anise if desired. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and warmth.

Notes

Substitute Fireball whiskey for an extra cinnamon kick or apple brandy for a sweeter note.
To serve both kids and adults, add liquor individually to each mug instead of the whole crockpot.
Keep leftover cider warm for up to 2 hours on the crockpot’s ‘keep warm’ setting.
Reheat any leftovers gently on the stove or microwave before serving.
Using whole spices instead of ground spices infuses a more complex flavor.

Keywords: crockpot spiced apple cider, slow cooker apple cider, warm spiced cider, fall drinks, holiday beverages, apple cider with spices, brandy spiced cider