Summary:
This is a hands-off slow cooker recipe for making homemade cranberry apple cider. The crisp sweetness of fresh apples is combined with the tangy brightness of oranges and cranberries, simmered in a fragrant blend of cinnamon sticks and water.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 gala apples (about 2 pounds), ends removed and sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 1 navel orange, peeled and cut into wedges
- 3/4 cup whole fresh cranberries
- 5
cinnamon sticks - 6 cups water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slow Cook: Add all ingredients to
slow cooker and stir. Cook on high for 4 hours. Turn off slow cooker. - Mash & Strain: Mash up ingredients in slow cooker (
potato masher may be useful). Strain out liquid using sieve,cheese cloth , ornut milk bag . Discard fruit solids. - Serve: Serve while hot, optionally garnished with cinnamon sticks. Save leftovers (Note 1).
NUTRITION
| Makes 6 Servings |
| Amount Per Serving (1 cup): |
| Calories 90 (3% from fat) | |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 0mg | 0% |
| Net Carb 20.5g | |
| Total Carb 25g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.5g | 18% |
| Sugars 18.5g | |
| Protein 1g |
PHOTOS
NOTES & TIPS
(1) Leftovers. Cool, cover, and refrigerate leftover cider. When ready to serve, heat using a pot on the stovetop by bringing to a simmer.
I have made this twice this week for holiday get-togethers and it was a hit! I did add cloves, nutmeg and allspice in addition to the cinnamon and loved it with this addition. This is going to my must make holiday drinks.
Awesome, glad to hear that! Next time I’ll have to try adding cloves, nutmeg, and allspice as well 🙂
I couldn’t find organic apples, so I peeled mine to make sure my drink wasn’t full of wax from the skin. Hopefully that doesn’t make it lose too much flavor! Super excited to try this, it smells so good already and I’m only 30 minutes in.
I hope it turns out well for you! And Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
I’ve made this a few times in the crock pot before and it’s amazing and makes my house smell so good! I want to make a big batch, probably triple the recipe. I would need to make it on the stove in my large pot. How would you recommend cooking on the stove instead of crock pot?
I make this every year for Christmas, and my family loves it!
How would you recommend heating the cider up after refrigerating it? Our family is expecting a lot of people and would like to make more ahead of time.
You can heat it up using a pot on the stovetop by bringing it to a simmer.
This looks so yummy! I’m planning on putting ginger and nutmeg in the cider instead of cinnamon (due to severe allergies). I’m wondering what do you recommend on how much I should put in?
Hi Sam! I would start with 1/2 teaspoon each. You can add more later to taste as needed 🙂
Thank you!
Did you try adding clove and nutmeg as mentioned in a previous comment? If so, how much did you add and did you like the addition?
I haven’t added cloves and nutmeg. Start with a small amount, like 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.
Hi. I love this recipe and i would like to try it but i don’t have a slow cooker. It’s hard for me to resist with anything that has cinnamon. Can i use a regular pot to make it?. Please i need help 🤗
Yes, a regular pot or dutch oven would work here.