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Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider

Apple cider infused with oranges, apples, cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. This Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider has all the flavors of fall and the perfect cozy drink to share with a crowd.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Beverage, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cups
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker or large pot with fitted lid

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups fresh or favorite store-brand apple cider
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 apple, sliced thin, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 orange, sliced thin, plus extra for garnish
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tbsp whole cloves
  • 2-3 star anise
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions
 

Slow-cooker instructions:

  • Add all ingredients to slow cooker and stir to combine. Place lid on and set temperature to low. Cook for 3-4 hours.
  • After the cooking time, replace some of the cooked fruit with fresh fruit. This makes it more attractive and colorful. Keep slow-cooker on warm while serving.

Stove-top instructions:

  • Add all the ingredients to a large pot with fitted lid and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle bowl, place the lid on, and turn heat down to the lowest setting, Cook for 2-3 hours.
  • After the cooking time, replace some of the cooked fruit with fresh fruit. Keep warm while serving.

Notes

Tips:
More fruit & berry options- Add these in addition to the apples and oranges- sliced pears, peaches, pineapple, cherries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. 
Spike it- For those that want a little kick, add merlot, spiced rum, bourbon, or brandy to the cider. 
  • For Merlot: Fill a mug 3/4 full with cider and top off with your favorite merlot.
  • For Liquor: Add 1 shot of spiced rum, bourbon, or brandy to a mug, and fill the rest of the way with cider.
Freezing leftovers- Cool cider completely and place in freezer safe jars with a sealed lid. Cider can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to consume, set in the refrigerator on a towel for several hours. 
 
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
 
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Servings: 8
Amount per serving  
Calories 150
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.4g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 37.7g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g 5%
Total Sugars 34.2g  
Protein 0.4g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 28mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 369mg 8%
Keyword Apple Cider, Apples, Brown sugar, Cinnamon sticks, Cranberries, Oranges, Star anise, Whole cloves