Apple Cider

5 from 2 votes

Warm up with this easy crockpot apple cider recipe made with fresh apples, oranges, brown sugar, and cozy spices for the perfect fall drink for holidays or chilly nights.

Prep Time15

Cook Time3

Total Time3 15

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Apple Cider Recipe, Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 242kcal

Ingredients

3 pounds red sweet-tart apples, quartered and cored (Honeycrisp and Gala apples used)
1 medium navel orange, sliced into wedges
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
4 cinnamon sticks, plus additional sticks to garnish individual serving glasses (approximately 2 ½ to 3 inches in length)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole cloves (approximately 18 to 20 whole cloves)
½ teaspoon ground allspice
6 cups water

Instructions

Add the apples, orange, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, cloves and allspice to the insert of a 4-5 quart crockpot. Cover the fruit and spices with the water. There should be enough water to fully submerge the apples.
Add the lid to the crockpot, set to LOW and cook for 6-7 hours (3-4 hours on HIGH) or until very soft.
Remove the cinnamon sticks from the crockpot. Using a potato masher, gently mash the softened apples and oranges to release more flavor. Allow the cider to cook for an additional 1 hour.
Place a large fine mesh strainer over a large pitcher or bowl, strain the mixture to remove the apple peel, orange slices and spices from the apple cider. Press as much liquid from the mashed fruit as possible using the back of a wooden spoon or a ladle. Discard the solid pieces. You may need to strain the cider in batches to prevent overflow and allow for easier pressing. For an extra smooth cider, place a cheesecloth over the fine mesh strainer and strain a second time to ensure no pulp or spices remain in the final apple cider.
Serve warm (ideally between 145°F-155°F) in individual mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick for a festive touch, if desired.

Notes

The best apples to use that will yield a slightly sweet-tart flavor for the apple cider will be the Honeycrisp, Gala, Cosmic Crisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious or Granny Smith apples. You can use any combination of these apples for a more complex flavor.
Depending on the desired level of spice you prefer for your homemade apple cider, you can adjust the amounts of spices added when cooking your apples in the crockpot. If you do not want a spiced apple cider, leave out the cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice when slow cooking the apples and orange in the crockpot.
If you do not have a crockpot, you can use a large stock pot over medium-high heat to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 2-3 hours or until the apples are soft and tender. Mash, strain, and store the apple cider according to the recipe instructions.
If your crockpot has a warm setting, you can wipe out the crockpot insert, to ensure no mashed apple remains, then add the strained apple cider back to the crockpot for serving as a warm drink.
If you want to use the apple cider to make a spiked cocktail, you can add up to 2 ounces of your favorite dark liquor to a 1 cup serving. Whiskey, Bourbon, Rum or Brandy are all great options.

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