This is the best way to make your own apple cider at home! Load up the slow cooker with apples, oranges, spices, and water, cook all day and then enjoy the best fall beverage on the planet.

Homemade apple cider in mug with cinnamon stick


When fall rolls around, the only thing I want is a steaming cup of hot apple cider. It’s just the perfect sip to chase away any chill that may be in the air. And it’s very easy to make at home, so if you go apple picking and have an over-abundance of fresh apples, this is just the thing to make.

Homemade apple cider is also a great drink for parties! You can make a big batch and let your guests serve themselves with garnishes or boozy mix-ins. (Ahem: Apple Cider Mimosa)

We also love adding it to so many recipes like braised pork, chicken, or even baked goods. (Hello, Apple Cider Donuts!)

Funnel inside bottle of homemade apple cider

Ingredients for Apple Cider

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

  • Apples – I used Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
  • Oranges – This adds a touch of bitterness to balance the sweetness, but if you prefer not to have that, take the peel off.
  • Spices – Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and ground allspice.
  • Water – If your tap water has an “off” flavor to it, use filtered.
  • Brown sugar – For sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
Overhead view of ingredients for homemade apple cider

How to Make Apple Cider

Slow Cooker Apple Cider couldn’t be easier to make.

  1. Cook. Throw some apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and water into a slow cooker then simmer all day long.
  2. Mash the fruit. Mash everything up with a potato masher once it’s cooked and the apples are soft.
  3. Strain and serve. Strain out the solids using a sieve and serve with some fresh sliced apples, a cinnamon stick, or a splash or bourbon.

Tips for Making Apple Cider

  • Choose the right apples. I like to use a few different types of apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Mixing different apple varieties adds depth to your cider.
  • Adjust the sweetness. Taste the apple cider after straining it. You can always add some more sugar if you find it’s on the tart side.
  • Strain it well. After mashing the cider mixture, be sure to strain well. If you have a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, you can set that in a colander if you don’t have a sieve and then set the colander in a bowl. This will catch any small bits of fruit and spices that may slip through the colander.
Sliced oranges and apples for apple cider
Pouring water into crockpot for apple cider
Ingredients for apple cider in slow cooker
Crockpot with cooked apples, oranges, and spices for apple cider
Mashing homemade apple cider in crockpot
Straining apple cider into bowl

What Is Apple Cider?

Apple cider is a drink made with fresh, pressed apples that are allowed to go through a fermentation process, which can eventually lead to making apple cider vinegar.

Unlike apple juice, which is filtered and pasteurized, apple cider is often unfiltered and unpasteurized, making it a seasonal beverage because of its short shelf life. Apple juice, on the other hand, is available year-round and made to be shelf stable.

You can easily make apple cider at home, but the process takes time, so I created my own using a slow cooker to cook the apples and coax out their flavor, along with spices for that signature fall coziness.

Homemade apple cider in glasses with cinnamon sticks

How to Store Leftover Apple Cider

  • To store apple cider, transfer it to a pitcher or carafe and refrigerate. You can enjoy it either hot or cold.
  • To reheat apple cider, transfer it to a pot and heat to a simmer.
  • You can freeze apple cider in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.

More Easy Apple Cider Recipes

Apple cider is the best fall beverage around! I’ll be serving my Slow Cooker Apple Cider for our Halloween party alongside some Oreo Truffles and mixing it into this Apple Cider Gin Fizz. It’s fantastic in these Pulled Pork Sliders and in these completely addictive blondies!

Glass of homemade slow cooker apple cider

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Homemade Apple Cider in three footed glasses with cinnamon sticks and apple slice.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Recipe

Yield: 8 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Homemade Apple Cider made in the slow cooker! Simple, easy and great for parties!
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 5 pounds apples, cut into quarters (I used granny smith and HoneyCrisp)
  • 3 oranges, peeled if you want a less bitter flavor
  • 4-5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 6-7 cups water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Instructions 

  • Place the apples, oranges, cinnamon, cloves and allspice in a slow cooker.
  • Add the water to the slow cooker and cover.
  • Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
  • Mash the ingredients with a potato masher and cook for 1 hour longer uncovered.
  • Using a fine mesh sieve lined with a paper towel or cheesecloth and strain the cider discarding the solids.
  • Return the apple cider to the slow cooker, stir in brown sugar until dissolved and serve warm or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 10 days.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 202kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 15mg, Potassium: 408mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 265IU, Vitamin C: 39.2mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 0.6mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American