Crockpot Apple Cider

Can you smell it yet? If not, you have never simmered apple cider in the crockpot.

The delicious aroma of cinnamon and clove will warm up any kitchen.

You can make this recipe in a crockpot or Instant Pot.

This Crockpot apple cider recipe is made with real, whole spices that infuse a cozy flavor throughout the entire drink. 

Tasting the cider before the cooking process, it’s crisp and apple-y. Tasting afterwards, it’s warm and nuanced. 

These dry mulling spices give big flavor. You’ll use the whole versions of these spices, not ground. Here are the spices you'll need:

• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Whole allspice berries
• Whole nutmeg
• Whole star anise*

*The star anise is the most unique of all these spices: and the most beautiful! It’s star-shaped and should be available at most grocery stores.

Crockpot apple cider also works in an Instant Pot

Did you know that an Instant Pot has a slow cooker setting? If you’ve got a pressure cooker, this recipe works in the Instant Pot, too. How to do it?

• Cook the spices and cider on the “Slow Cooker” setting for 3 hours. The Low setting on a Crock Pot / slow cooker corresponds to the Normal “Slow Cooker” setting on the Instant Pot / pressure cooker. So, you’ll follow the recipe using this setting.

Should I toast the spices beforehand?

The first step in this Crockpot apple cider recipe is optional, but highly recommended! Toasting the spices prior to adding them to the cider helps to bring out the flavor even more. Because there’s no Sauté function on a Crockpot, we suggest doing this in a skillet for 2 to 3 minutes, then popping the spices into the Crockpot. If you are opting to use an Instant Pot, you could use the Sauté feature.

SPIKED Crockpot apple cider!

Um, yes! If you drink alcohol, adding a hint of rum to this Crockpot apple cider is 100% recommended. It adds an even warmer roundness to the recipe. The quantity we’ve specified below is very modest, so you’ll only have a warming hint of it in each sip.

Serving a crowd? You might want to allow guests to add their own rum! The quantity below equates to only ½ tablespoon (1 ½ teaspoons) rum per glass: so basically a small swig!

The last step: a beautiful garnish

My two favorite garnishes are a cinnamon stick and an orange slice on the rim. You could do anything though - from a star anise sitting on top, to a stick of cranberries.

Have fun with it and make it beautiful!

You could even get really fancy and serve these from hollowed apples!

Ingredients

• ½ gallon unfiltered apple cider
• 1 whole nutmeg
• 10 allspice berries
• 10 cloves
• 2 star anise
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• ¼ cup rum, optional
• 1 small orange, for garnish
• Whole cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

1. Optional: Add the nutmeg, allspice, cloves, star anise and cinnamon to a small skillet. Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
2. Place the apple cider in the Crockpot or Instant Pot (pressure cooker) with the spices. Cook on low for 3 hours OR Normal using the Instant Pot “Slow Cooker” setting.
3. If using, stir in the rum. 
4. Garnish with orange slices and a cinnamon stick, then serve.

Did you make this delicious cider? Let us know in the comments below!