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Cozy Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider – Easy Homemade Recipe

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This cozy slow cooker mulled apple cider is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—incredibly easy to make with pantry-friendly ingredients, it fills your home with the warm aroma of cinnamon, clove, and orange. Perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights in, or any chilly day when you need a comforting drink.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (1.9 liters) apple cider
  • 1 large orange
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 3–4 whole star anise pods
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
  • 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange. Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, remove the peel in wide strips, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl. Set both peel and juice aside. Optionally, stud the peel with whole cloves.
  2. Peel the 2-inch piece of fresh ginger using a vegetable peeler or the edge of a spoon. Slice into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick.
  3. Pour the entire 64 ounces of apple cider into a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add 1 cup water, the orange juice, orange peel (clove-studded if desired), cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, sliced ginger, whole allspice berries (if using), and 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Do not let it boil. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld.
  5. After 4 hours, taste the cider. If desired, add another tablespoon of maple syrup for sweetness or let it cook another hour for more spice. Adjust to your preference.
  6. When the flavor is to your liking, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof pitcher or bowl. Carefully pour the cider through the strainer to remove all spices, orange peel, and ginger. Discard solids.
  7. Return the strained cider to the slow cooker and set to ‘warm’ for serving. Ladle into mugs and serve hot. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin slice of apple if desired.

Notes

Don’t let the cider boil, or the spices can turn bitter. Studding the orange peel with cloves keeps them from floating loose. Taste at the 4-hour mark and adjust sweetness or spice. The cider tastes even better the next day—make it ahead, refrigerate, and reheat. For easy cleanup, use a spice sachet or muslin bag. For a spiked version, stir in 1/2 cup bourbon, dark rum, or brandy after straining.

Nutrition

Keywords: mulled apple cider, slow cooker cider, hot apple cider, holiday drink, cozy drink, apple cider recipe, slow cooker drink

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/cozy-slow-cooker-mulled-apple-cider-easy-homemade-recipe/