Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider with Orange and Cloves
A warm, fragrant, and forgiving slow cooker cider made with fresh apples, orange, cinnamon, and cloves. It fills your home with a cozy holiday aroma and is perfect for gatherings or quiet afternoons.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 medium apples (any variety, such as Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- 1 large orange (preferably organic)
- 20–25 whole cloves
- 3–4 cinnamon sticks
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup (or to taste)
- 8 cups water
- Optional garnishes: thin apple slices, orange wheels, extra cinnamon sticks, or star anise
Instructions
- Wash the apples thoroughly and quarter them (no need to peel or core). Wash the orange and slice it into rounds about ¼-inch thick.
- Press the whole cloves into the orange peel, spacing them evenly.
- Place the quartered apples and clove-studded orange slices in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Tuck the cinnamon sticks between the fruit.
- Drizzle the honey or maple syrup over the fruit. Pour in the 8 cups of water and stir gently.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Taste the cider and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. Let it simmer longer if needed.
- Remove the large fruit pieces and cinnamon sticks with a slotted spoon. For a clear cider, strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Ladle into mugs and garnish as desired.
Notes
For best flavor, cook on low for the full 8 hours. The studded orange prevents loose cloves from floating in the cider. Prep fruit the night before for convenience. Leftover cider keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 85110
- Sugar: 1822
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 2228
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: slow cooker apple cider, spiced apple cider, orange and cloves, holiday drink, warm cider, easy cider recipe