Crockpot Caramel Apple Cider

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jul 30, 2025

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Making apple cider from scratch is such a fun and festive way to celebrate fall. And making crockpot apple cider is the easiest way to do that! There is so much to love about this fall drink recipe, and I’m so excited to share it with you! Make it a cocktail or mocktail, both are delicious! I crave this comforting sip all year round!

Skinny Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe

I made this Caramel Apple Cider because, let’s be honest—caramel and apple are an unbeatable combo. I’m all about homemade apple cider, but it doesn’t truly feel like fall until that rich caramel sweetness enters the picture.

This caramel apple cider is also a “skinny” recipe that has less sugar without losing the flavor, so you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging in this delicious beverage. You can make this recipe with or without alcohol, so it’s truly something everyone will love! Add the vodka for parties, or leave it out for family gatherings.

The leaves are changing, the weather is crisp, and our house is filled with the amazing smells of autumn coming straight from my crockpot.

Recipe Card

Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe

4.67 from 12 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 8 hours hrs

Total: 8 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 12 people

Author: Becky Hardin

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Simmer up this cozy, well-spiced apple cider right in your Crockpot—it fills the house with the most irresistible fall aroma. Whether you're serving it family-style or adding a splash of vodka for the adults, it’s a comforting sip that’s perfect for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or just curling up on the couch with a blanket.

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Equipment

• Crockpot

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 10 apples
• ▢ 1 orange quartered
• ▢ 4 cinnamon sticks
• ▢ 1½ tsp nutmeg
• ▢ 2 tsp whole cloves
• ▢ 14 cups water
• ▢ ⅓ cup sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup agave nectar
• ▢ ¼ cup caramel sauce
• ▢ ½ cup caramel vodka optional
• ▢ cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and orange slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions 

• Add sliced apples and oranges to large slow cooker. Don’t worry about peeling them, you will strain later. Add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves to the slow cooker. Fill the slow cooker with water almost all the way to the top. For me it was about 14 cups, but you can use more or less.
  10 apples, 1 orange, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1½ tsp nutmeg, 2 tsp whole cloves, 14 cups water
• Cover slow cooker and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours.
• After the cooking time, take a potato masher and mash the fruit fully in the slow cooker. Go slowly so you do not spill the water over the sides.
• Pour cider through a strainer to remove any of the large fruit chunks and spices.
• Follow by straining again through a fine-mesh strainer to make even more refined. Press the mixture through the mesh to get all the juice out that’s possible. Return the remaining cider to the slow cooker.
• Stir in sugar, agave nectar, and caramel sauce. Stir in alcohol if desired.
  ⅓ cup sugar, ¼ cup agave nectar, ¼ cup caramel sauce, ½ cup caramel vodka
• Keep on low while serving, or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.
• Serve hot, garnished with apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks. I dipped the rim of the glass in caramel sauce for some extra fun.
  cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and orange slices for garnish (optional)

Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 26gSodium: 33mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 4gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 110IUVitamin C: 12.8mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Crockpot Caramel Apple Cider Step by Step

Place apples in slow cooker: Add 10 cups of sliced apples and 1 orange to large slow cooker. Don’t worry about peeling them, you will strain later. Add 2 cinnamon sticks, 1½ tsp nutmeg, and 2 tsp whole cloves to the slow cooker. Fill the slow cooker with water almost all the way to the top. For me, it was about 14 cups, but you can use more or less.

Cook: Cover slow cooker and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours.

Mash: After the cooking time, take a potato masher and mash the fruit fully in the slow cooker. Go slowly so you do not spill the water over the sides.

Strain: Pour cider through a strainer to remove any of the large fruit chunks and spices.

Use fine mesh strainer: Follow by straining again through a fine-mesh strainer to make even more refined. Press the mixture through the mesh to get all the juice out that’s possible. Return the remaining cider to the slow cooker.

Add flavoring: Stir in ⅓ cup sugar, ¼ cup agave nectar, ¼ cup caramel sauce. Stir in alcohol if desired.

Keep warm or refrigerate: Keep on low while serving, or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.

Serve: Serve hot, garnished with apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks. I dipped the rim of the glass in caramel sauce for some extra fun. Enjoy!

How to Store

If you have any leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Serving Suggestions

For the ultimate fall experience, I like to have a batch of chewy pumpkin cookies or these decadent pumpkin brownies to eat while I sip on the cider. It’s also great to have a batch of apple chips on hand for healthier snacking.

More Fall Drink Recipes

Apple Cider Mimosas (Easy Apple Cider Cocktail)

Apple Pie Moscow Mule

Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Apple Butter Old Fashioned Cocktail