The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider is a homemade apple cider recipe that is great for entertaining over the holidays or storing in the fridge for those cold evenings. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare and makes your house smell amazing.
Our recipe costs about $7.94 to make. The recipe serves eight for approximately $0.99 per serving.
If you love apple recipes as much as we do, check out our Apple Cider Donut Cake, our Homemade Chunky Applesauce, or our Shortcut Apple Fritter Bread.
Table of Contents
Homemade Apple Cider
Apples are the ultimate definition of fall-time. They go on sale, and it is the perfect time to stock up and make a batch of homemade Apple Cider. Even better is that this recipe for Apple Cider is made in the slow cooker, so it could not be any easier.
The Homemade Apple Cider is made from scratch by putting the ingredients in the crockpot and letting them cook on high for a few hours while the flavors meld together. Then mash the apples, strain the liquid, and the result is a delicious cup of warm cider.
When you make this Slow Cooker Apple Cider recipe, it screams the holidays. You can cozy up with a blanket by the fire or serve it at a party. Your house will smell incredible, and the guests will love it!
Our recipe is infused with spices and oranges and will be a fun tradition to make year after year. So skip the store-bought stuff and make our Hot Apple Cider in the slow cooker instead!
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 8 large apples – $2.87
- 2 oranges – $1.50
- ½ cup light brown sugar – $0.24
- 5 cinnamon sticks – $1.75
- 2 teaspoons cloves – $1.00
- 1 teaspoon allspice – $0.57
- 1 star anise – $0.01
- 8 cups water – $0.00
To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How To Make Homemade Apple Cider
- First, place the sliced apples and oranges into the slow cooker.
- Next, add the light brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, all-spice, star anise, and water into the slow cooker.
- Then, cook on high for four hours. Stir the mixture at two hours and push some of the top ingredients to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- After four hours, use a slotted spoon to mash up the apples and strain the cider mixture into a large bowl.
- Next, use a mesh strainer to remove the remaining apple pulp.
- Finally, place the apple cider back in the slow cooker to keep it warm or serve immediately.
For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- There are a few varieties of apples that you can use. Some of our favorites are Honey Crisp, Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, or Red Delicious.
- Instead of brown sugar you can use sugar in the raw, agave nectar or even honey.
Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve immediately or keep warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve.
STORE: This Apple Cider will stay fresh for one week when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
FREEZE: Cool the cider to room temperature and then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. Freezer for 6 months.
THAW: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
REHEAT: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. Or, place back in a crockpot on low heat and heat until warm, about 1-2 hours.
Cook’s Tools
- Slow cooker
- Potato masher or slotted spoon
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- Fine mesh strainer
- Large mixing bowl
- Colander
Recipe FAQs
Yes, apple cider can be canned. First, fill your canning jars when the apple cider is boiling hot. Then, place the jars in a bath of boiling water. Ensure that there is at least one inch of boiling water above the jars. Keep in the water bath for 5 minutes if your jars are pints or quarts and 10 minutes if you have half-gallon jars.
Apple Cider is typically apple juice without any additional flavorings. In comparison, mulled Apple Cider is flavored with fruit and spices and cooked together either in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
Of course, we love making a big batch of Apple Cider to serve to family and friends with dinner or at a holiday get-together. However, if you have gotten your fill from drinking it, there are many other ways to use it by adding it to other recipes. For example, you can make Apple Cider Pancakes, donuts, pork loin, or pork chops with it. The Apple Cider adds a rich taste to your dish.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: A great counting activity for your little one while helping you in the kitchen is counting the number of cups of water they help you pour into the slow cooker and the number of apples and orange slices.
Ages 4-5: Your child can put all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and give them a stir. They will gain confidence in the kitchen with this recipe as they begin to do a few steps of the recipe independently with your guidance.
Ages 6-8: Guide your child’s hands to show them how to mash the apples in the slow cooker.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
- Don’t throw out the cinnamon sticks at the end of this recipe. You can reuse cinnamon sticks about four times. Just wash them off and dry them out before storing them.
- The same goes for star anise, you can reuse them about four times.
- Once apple season hits, watch the ads for sales. Apples will go on sale for great prices, and it is an excellent opportunity to stock up and make all things apple!
More Drink Recipes
- Homemade Eggnog
- Rainbow White Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
- Copycat Chick-Fil-A Peppermint Shake
- Cranberry Party Punch
Slow Cooker Apple Cider
Equipment
- slow cooker
- Potato masher or slotted spoon
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- fine mesh strainer
- large mixing bowl
- Colander
Ingredients
- 8 large apples Honey Crisp, Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, or Red Delicious, cut into quarters
- 2 oranges sliced thick
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons cloves whole
- 1 teaspoon allspice whole
- 1 star anise
- 8 cups water
Instructions
ADD INGREDIENTS TO THE SLOW COOKER:
- Place quartered apples and thickly sliced oranges in the slow cooker.
- Add light brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, all-spice, star anise, and cups of water to the slow cooker.
SLOW COOK:
- Cook on high for 4 hours.
- Stir lightly at the halfway mark, and push some of the top ingredients to the bottom.
TO FINISH:
- Using a slotted spoon or potato masher, mash up the apples and strain the cider mixture into a large bowl.
- Use a mesh strainer after you get the bulk of the ingredients out to remove most of the apple pulp.
- Place the apple cider back in the slow cooker to keep warm or serve immediately.
Beth says
I love making apple cider this time of year. I’ve tried a few recipes, but I’ve never tried making it in a slow cooker before. I can’t wait to give this a shot this weekend.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Such a great idea for a party and the house will smell amazing. Assing this to my autumn list – thanks!
Kate says
I saw this on Pinterest and I didn’t believe it would work, but it came out awesome! The whole house smelled amazing as it was simmering.
Jess Jankowski says
Woohoo! So glad you saw it and tried it! Thanks for letting us know!
Glenda says
Our family gathers once a month to celebrate all the birthdays in that month. Between birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas we will drink many gallons of slow cooker apple cider. Your recipe is delicious! Thank you!
Julia says
This was my first apple cider recipe and i am shocked how easy and great tasting it turned out. Thank you for sharing!
Gina Abernathy says
My house smells so good! The drink is fabulous and warming.
Tara says
Whoa! I am blown away by all of the helpful tips for this slow cooker drink. Especially love the tips on getting the kids involved. Thank you so much! Can’t wait to serve this during the holiday season!
Michelle says
Nothing better in the fall than warm, homemade apple cider. Plus, my house smells amazing!