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 DELISH. I crave this comforting sip all year round!
Skinny Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe
I decided to make a Caramel Apple Cider because, well…caramel and apple are a match made in heaven. I love apple everything, but it doesn’t really say AUTUMN IS HERE until you throw in that sweet caramel flavor.
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.
Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 10 apples
- 1 orange quartered
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 14 cups water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup agave nectar
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 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, 1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 teaspoons 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.1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup agave nectar, 1/4 cup caramel sauce, 1/2 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. Enjoycinnamon sticks, apple slices, and orange slices for garnish (optional)
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Apple Cider – Step-by-Step
- Cut the apples and orange into quarters (no need to peel them)
- Place apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves into the crockpot, and fill it up with water.
- Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 8 hours OR or on high for 4 hours.
- When it’s done cooking, use a potato masher to mash up the softened fruit (do this while the cider is still in the slow cooker). Then pour the cider through a strainer.
- Run it through a fine-mesh strainer for a second time, and then put the caramel apple cider back in the crockpot.
- Stir in the sweeteners (stevia, agave nectar) and the caramel sauce. (If you want to add alcohol, add it in during this step).
Your cider is ready! Keep it in the slow cooker on low to keep it warm while serving. Garnish is with apple slices and cinnamon sticks, and create a caramel rim for your glass for some extra fun!
How to Store
If you have any leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
I hope you’re enjoying this cooler weather as much as I am. A cup of this Caramel Apple Cider is just the thing you need for this time of year. Crockpot Apple Cider is so much easier than you think, so make a batch of it ASAP. You can do it!
More Fall Drink Recipes
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Do you have the nutritional content available, please?
Can this cider be made using sugar rather than the agave and stevia?
Absolutely!
Hi, I love your apple pie recipes. I really look forward to this time of year, every year, because of them. My husband and I were recently stationed (Army family) at NATO in Belgium and I cannot for the life of me find apple cider for purchase. Could I use this recipe for apple cider (minus the Carmel) for the apple pie punch & apple pie mimosa recipes?
Thanks, Lynne
This is great. I wish I had a best blender for them…
This was AWESOME! Huge hit over the weekend camping – curious, did you calculate the nutritional info? Wondering about the apples since they are strained… ;)
I love cider! It’s the perfect fall drink! Seriously, this looks amazing!
You are seriously the QUEEN of yummy drinks! Love this!
Oh yum! This is the perfect warm drink for a cool fall afternoon!
Ahhh, so smart! I love apple cider in the slow cooker but I have never made it from scratch! This looks soooo good!
Looks delicious! I’ve always wanted to try making homemade apple cider.