My Cozy Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider (The Only Recipe You Need) (Print Version)
This slow cooker mulled apple cider recipe is the essence of autumn in a mug! Warm, fragrant, and incredibly easy, it's perfect for cozy nights and holiday parties.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 16 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free, Vegan
# Ingredients:
→ The Cider Base
01 -
1 gallon fresh apple cider, unfiltered
02 -
1 large orange
→ The Spice Squad
03 -
20-30 whole cloves
04 -
4-6 whole cinnamon sticks
05 -
3-4 whole star anise
06 -
2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
→ A Little Sweetness (Optional)
07 -
1/4 cup maple syrup or brown sugar, or to taste
→ For the Adults (Optional Garnish)
08 -
Bourbon or dark rum, for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Gently press the whole cloves into the skin of the orange, distributing them all around the surface. This is the most hands-on part and makes the kitchen smell amazing already.
02 -
Pour the apple cider into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Place the clove-studded orange into the cider, then add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and sliced ginger.
03 -
Stir in the maple syrup or brown sugar, if using. Start with a small amount as you can add more later. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Low and slow is recommended for the best flavor infusion.
04 -
Allow the cider to mull undisturbed. Your home will begin to fill with the warm, spicy aroma of fall. Resist the temptation to lift the lid frequently, as this lets the fragrant heat escape.
05 -
Once the mulling time is complete, carefully taste the cider. Adjust sweetness if needed by adding more maple syrup or sugar. You can now set the slow cooker to the 'Keep Warm' setting for serving.
06 -
Use a ladle to serve the warm cider into mugs. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick. For an adult version, add a splash of bourbon or dark rum to each individual mug before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
My Personal Tip: Don't be afraid to leave the cider on the 'Keep Warm' setting for hours during a party. It just gets better and better as the day goes on!
02 -
Storage Advice: Always strain out the spices before refrigerating leftovers. I learned this the hard way when my day-old cider tasted overwhelmingly of clove.
03 -
Substitution Suggestion: If you don't have fresh ginger, you can omit it. Don't use ground ginger, though—it will make the cider cloudy and gritty.
04 -
Serving Tip: For a festive look, I love to add a few fresh cranberries and a thin orange slice to each mug just before serving. It looks so professional!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
6-Quart Slow Cooker
02 -
Ladle
03 -
Mugs
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 145
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 0g