Crockpot mulled apple cider is so simple to throw together for the holidays. Full of flavor and spice, this cider is a sure family favorite.
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Traditions
Every year at Thanksgiving, our family divides and conquers for the shared feast.
One year I signed up to bring an apple cider. I could have brought just a jug of fresh pressed apple cider from our local farm but I decided that a warm, flavorful mug of hot mulled apple cider would be delicious, so I went with that option.
There are few better feelings than family members raving about your dish at the Thanksgiving table! Or in this case, this warm beverage.
After filling up on the feast, seconds and thirds were made to the crockpot for a cozy cup of mulled apple cider.
The simplicity of throwing this crockpot mulled apple cider and the mutual love for this recipe in our family created this now annual tradition.
Each year as we are signing up for what to bring, at least one person has asked for us to bring our crockpot mulled apple cider.
I hope your family enjoys as much as we have in our home!
Here are the details…
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Crockpot Mulled Apple Cider FAQ
What if I don’t have/or cannot find mulled spices?
I ran into this issue this year and made my own! With the spices listed above with the addition of dehydrated peels from one lemon and one orange (instructions below), making your own mulled spices blend if very simple.
What if I don’t have a crockpot?
This recipe works great using the slow cooker setting on an instant pot, simmering on low in a Dutch oven or using a regular pot on the stove top.
Can I use apple juice?
You can, though you will get the full flavor this mulled apple cider brings by using pressed apple cider as a base over an apple juice. If you opt for apple juice, I would recommend a pressed juice over a juice from concentrate.
Juices from concentrate are sweetened and do not taste as fresh as a pressed juice.
My favorite apple cider is one that we have locally. Many quality pressed apple ciders will be found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store or market.
Crockpot Mulled Apple Cider Ingredients
- Pressed apple cider
- Oranges
- Apples (I prefer Honeycrisp apples)
- Whole fresh cranberries
- Pomegranate
- Mulling spices or
- Whole cloves
- Star anise
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole allspice
Tools you will need
For making your own mulling spices
How to Make Crockpot Mulled Apple Cider
First, place all ingredients into the crockpot: apple cider, apples, oranges, cranberries, pomegranates, spices.
Then, set the crockpot or simmer pot on the stove to low for 6 hours.
Next, strain off the fruit and spices.
Enjoy this delicious beverage hot or cold!
Will store in the refrigerator for 1 week.
Tip: I like to strain the whole batch of cider into a large bowl. Once the apple cider is strained, I use a funnel to pour the mulled cider back into the jug I saved from the apple cider.
To save the jug from the apple cider, rinse the jug very well after pouring the contents into the crockpot. allow to dry upside down until ready to refill with the mulled cider.
Making your own mulling spices
To make your own mulling spices, take a potato peeler and peel the outer peel off of one lemon and one orange.
Then, with the oven set to 225 degrees F, place the peels on a parchment lined baking sheet.
* If you have a dehydrator, you can use that instead.
Bake until the peels are dehydrated (about 1 1/2- 2 hours)
Place peels along with spices into your crock-pot.
Note: to store mulling spices for later, make sure your peels are very dry and dehydrated to prevent the spices from molding.
Mulled Apple Cider would pair well with…
Crockpot Mulled Apple Cider
Crock-pot mulled apple cider is so simple to throw together for the holidays. Full of flavor and spice, this cider is a sure family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon pressed apple cider
- 2 oranges quartered (peel on)
- 1 honeycrisp apple
- 1 cup pomegranate kernels
- 1/2 cup whole fresh cranberries (frozen will work as well)
- 1/4 cup mulling spices + 2 large cinnamon sticks OR
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 2 large cinnamon sticks (or 4 small cinnamon stick)
- 5 whole star anise
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
Instructions
- First, place all ingredients into the crockpot: apple cider, apples, oranges, cranberries, pomegranates, spices.
- Then, set the crock-pot or simmer pot on the stove to low for 6 hours.
- Next, strain off the fruit and spices.
- Enjoy this delicious beverage hot or cold!
Will store in the refrigerator for 1 week.
Making your own mulling spices - To make your own mulling spices, take a potato peeler and peel the outer peel off of one lemon and one orange.
- Then, with the oven set to 225 degrees F, place the peels on a parchment lined baking sheet.
* If you have a dehydrator, you can use that instead. - Bake until the peels are dehydrated (about 1 1/2- 2 hours)
- Place peels along with spices into your crock-pot.
*Note: to store mulling spices for later, make sure your peels are very dry and dehydrated to prevent the spices from molding.
I would love to know, what is a family favorite tradition you enjoy during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments below!
