Slow Cooker Apple Cider

Oct 30, 2024Updated Oct 22, 2025

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This homemade Slow Cooker Apple Cider recipe has amazing fresh apple flavor, a touch of citrus, and lots of holiday spice—great for spreading holiday cheer.

Apple cider in a slow cooker with ladle coming out.

This crockpot apple cider recipe is a game-changer for anyone who appreciates the authentic taste of homemade apple cider. Unlike store bought versions, this recipe allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a beverage that’s not only easy to make but absolutely delicious.

Ditch the packets and make this homemade from scratch warm and cozy apple cider in the crockpot. We love to serve warm cider at our holiday parties, both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

ingredients for slow cooker apple cider on a table.

Recipe Tip

Apple Cider: The base of your homemade cider—choose a high-quality, unfiltered cider for the richest flavor. Do not use water, or your cider will be bland.

Apples: Red Delicious works well, but mixing Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious gives a nice balance of tart and sweet.

Brown Sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and depth.

Citrus: Fresh orange and lemon slices brighten the cider and balance the richness.

Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice simmer together to give that classic warm holiday flavor.

Key Ingredients

Apple Cider: This is the base for your homemade cider creation. I recommend looking for a high-quality, unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor.

Apples: I like to use red delicious apples but you can use a combination of Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples. They will all add a perfect blend of tartness and sweetness to your cider.

Brown Sugar: Enhances the sweetness and depth of flavor in your cider.

Cinnamon Sticks: Infuses a warm and comforting spice into the mix, complementing the natural sweetness of the apples.

Lemon: Adds a touch of brightness to balance the sweetness.

Orange: Both the juice and slices will contribute citrusy flavors.

Cloves: Introduce a warm, earthy taste.

Allspice: Aromatic and slightly peppery, this spice adds and additional kick to the cider.

How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cider

Pour in the cider and whisk in brown sugar—instant cozy base.
Tumble in cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, plus sliced citrus and apples.
Let it warm on LOW until the kitchen smells like fall, then strain and sip.

apple cider in a crockpot before cooking.

How to Serve Apple Cider

This recipe is great as is though if you want to add a few mix-ins and make an apple cider bar. Here are some great ideas:

Caramel Sauce (jarred ice-cream topping)
Cinnamon Sticks
Red hots (also called cinnamon imperials, found near the sprinkles)
Whipped cream
Alcohol to spike the cider such as Caramel Vodka, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey Spiced or Rum (I use gingerbread flavor)

Ladle the hot apple cider into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick or a slice of fresh orange. You can also serve it chilled. Refrigerate the cider and serve it over ice for a refreshing take, ideal for those warmer fall days or holiday parties.

Sarah’s Tips & Variations

Adjust Sweetness: You can adjust the cider’s sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to suit your taste.

Optional Strain: If you like a clear cider, strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth before serving.

More Spice: Feel free to experiment with different spices, such as star anise or cardamom pods, to add more spice.

overhead of slow cooker apple cider in a clear mug.

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover cider in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy again, thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen. Reheat gently on the stovetop or warm individual mugs.