Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

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Slow cooker mulled cider is a cozy drink perfect for chilly days and holiday gatherings. It’s easy to make and fills your home with wonderful aromas. You can create this warm, spiced beverage by simply combining apple cider with oranges and spices in your crockpot.

The slow cooking process allows the flavors to blend beautifully, resulting in a rich and flavorful drink. Your guests will love sipping on this comforting beverage while the slow cooker keeps it warm throughout your event. It’s a hassle-free way to serve a crowd and enjoy the festive season.

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

Here’s what you’ll need to make slow cooker mulled cider:

  • 1 gallon apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
  • 1 medium orange, sliced
  • 1.5 inches fresh ginger, sliced
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 5-6 whole cloves
  • 1 star anise
  • 1/4 cup honey (optional for extra sweetness)

Don’t have all the ingredients? Try these swaps:

  • Use apple juice instead of cider
  • Swap orange for lemon or mandarin
  • Replace fresh ginger with 1 tsp ground ginger
  • Sub 1 tsp ground cinnamon for sticks
  • Use 1/4 tsp ground cloves instead of whole
  • Skip star anise or add a dash of licorice extract

Want to spice it up? Try adding:

  • 1/4 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 2-3 cardamom pods

Mix and match to create your perfect mulled cider blend. The slow cooker will infuse all the flavors, giving you a warm, cozy drink.

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Instructions

Here’s how to make slow cooker mulled cider:

  1. Pour apple cider into your slow cooker.
  2. Add spices:
    • Cinnamon sticks
    • Whole cloves
    • Star anise
    • Sliced ginger
  3. Toss in some orange slices for a citrusy kick.
  4. Stir everything together gently.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Your home will smell amazing as the cider simmers! When it’s done, remove the spices and orange slices. Ladle the warm cider into mugs.

For an extra fancy touch, garnish with fresh cinnamon sticks or orange slices. You can even add a splash of rum or brandy if you want a boozy version.

Don’t forget to keep the slow cooker on warm if you’re serving a crowd. This way, everyone can enjoy hot cider throughout your gathering.

Clean-up is a breeze too. Just rinse out your slow cooker when you’re done. Easy peasy!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh apple cider and whole spices make a big difference in your mulled cider.

Toast your spices before adding them to the slow cooker. Heat cinnamon, cloves, and star anise in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until they smell fragrant.

Try different spice combinations. Cardamom, nutmeg, and allspice can add interesting flavors to your cider.

Make a big batch and store leftovers in the fridge. Your mulled cider will keep for up to 5 days when refrigerated.

Reheat individual servings in the microwave or on the stove. Avoid boiling, as this can change the flavor.

For a stronger flavor, let the cider sit in the fridge overnight before reheating. This gives the spices more time to infuse.

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Use your slow cooker to keep the cider warm during parties. Set it to the “warm” setting to avoid overheating.

Freeze leftover cider in ice cube trays. Pop a cube into your tea or hot apple juice for a quick flavor boost.