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Cozy Crockpot Mulled Apple Cider with Orange & Cinnamon

crockpot mulled apple cider - featured image
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This cozy crockpot mulled apple cider with orange and cinnamon is a simple, set-it-and-forget-it drink that fills your home with warm, spiced aromas. Made with fresh apple cider, oranges, and whole spices, it’s perfect for fall gatherings, holiday parties, or quiet evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 ounces (1.9 liters) apple cider
  • 2 large oranges
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves (about 15–20 cloves)
  • 3–4 star anise pods
  • 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into rounds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the oranges: Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from one orange in wide strips, avoiding the white pith. Juice that same orange into a small bowl. Slice the second orange into thin rounds (about ¼-inch thick), trimming off excess pith.
  2. Prep the ginger (if using): Peel the ginger with a spoon and slice into thin rounds.
  3. Combine everything in the crockpot: Pour the apple cider into a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add the orange juice, orange zest strips, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods, and ginger slices. Add maple syrup or honey if using.
  4. Stir gently to distribute the spices and fruit.
  5. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more intense the flavor becomes.
  6. After about 2 hours, taste and adjust: add more cinnamon, maple syrup, or citrus as desired.
  7. When ready to serve, either strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer for a clear drink, or use a slotted spoon to remove large spice pieces and orange slices for a rustic presentation.
  8. Ladle into mugs and garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick and a thin orange slice.

Notes

Don’t boil the cider; low and slow is key. Remove the pith from oranges to avoid bitterness. For deeper flavor, toast the spices in a dry skillet for 1 minute before adding. The cider can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge; flavors meld overnight. For a spiked version, add 1.5 ounces of bourbon, dark rum, or brandy per serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled apple cider, crockpot cider, slow cooker cider, spiced cider, fall drink, holiday drink, warm cider, apple cider recipe

Find it online: https://islatable.com/cozy-crockpot-mulled-apple-cider-with-orange-and-cinnamon/