Homemade Apple Cider
Fresh, tangy Hot Apple Cider…the best way to make your own apple cider at home. Load up the slow cooker or crock pot with apples, oranges, spices and water…cook all day and then enjoy the best fall beverage ever on the planet.
Apple Cider
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When fall is in the air, 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.
We also love adding it to so many recipes like braised pork, chicken or adding to baking recipes.
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 it’s 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 the flavor along with spices giving it it’s signature fall flavor.
How to Make Apple Cider
Slow Cooker Apple Cider couldn’t be easier to make.
- Throw some apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and water into a slow cooker then simmer all day long.
- Mash everything up with a potato masher once it’s cooked and the apples are soft.
- Strain out the solids using a sieve and serve with some fresh sliced apples, a cinnamon stick or a splash or bourbon.
We love this programmable slow cooker with auto warm setting by CrockPot! It’s a great way to make dinners easy and keep them warm until you’re ready to eat. We pull this one out at least once a week and the price can’t be beat!
How to Store Apple Cider
- To store apple cider, transfer to a pitcher or carafe and refrigerate. You can enjoy it either hot or cold.
- To reheat apple cider, transfer 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.
We love using it to make an apple cider cocktail because it adds so much fall flavor.
More Easy Apple Cider Recipes
It’s 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!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Recipe
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.
4 Comments on “Homemade Apple Cider”
Oh my heavens – the aroma of this cooking would make me swoon! Loving this slow cooker version – I love apple cider but never tried making it – so thanks so much for this recipe!
This looks wonderful, what a delicious beverage for a chilly day! I bet it makes the house smell amazing!
This is the perfect fall drink! The aroma while cooking is amazing I’m sure!
I bet the house will smell wonderful as this cider is cooking. Love the smells of Fall.