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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Drink Recipes » Fresh Spiced Apple Cider Recipe (Crock Pot or Instant Pot)

Fresh Spiced Apple Cider Recipe (Crock Pot or Instant Pot)

October 31, 2017 (Updated: January 5, 2020)   —  by Katie Wells

Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Reading Time: 4 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • 5-Minute Apple Cider Recipe (from Scratch)
  • Make This Apple Cider Recipe Even Better ... with Butter!
  • How to Serve Apple Cider ... the Wellness Mama Way
  • Hot Apple Cider Recipe
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I grew up drinking apple cider and homemade wassail (a spiced cider/tea with citrus) around the holidays, so when I had kids of my own I wanted to come up with my own apple cider recipe to keep the tradition going. Plus, given the cost of a gallon of organic apple cider, I thought I could save some money making it at home for my brood.

Most recipes online called for huge amounts of apples (even too much for us) and required canning and special equipment. I wanted to find a way to make a batch without canning since we would probably want to drink it that same day.

I immediately thought of making cider in the Crock-Pot. I loved the idea of the smell of baking apples filling the house all day while it cooked. They say smells trigger emotions and memories in the brain, and I believe it! Hot apple cider does that for me.

It’s easy to make too!

5-Minute Apple Cider Recipe (from Scratch)

We usually also make fresh applesauce when apples are in season in the fall, so the first time I tried making this we had a mixture of different organic apples in the house. I used Fiji, Honeycrisp, and Gala, but any apples would work. I didn’t have to add any sweetener because those varieties were naturally sweet. If you use more sour apples, add a little honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar to the final product.

I was pleased with the hands-on time for this recipe. It took about 5 minutes to wash, peel, and cut 10 apples. (My kids are pretty good with knives in the kitchen thanks to this class so that helps!)

After prep it’s really just a matter of waiting and taking in the heavenly smell of baking apples and spices as they cook down. All that’s left is to strain and serve!

We like cider best served warm, but we refrigerate the leftovers (when there are any) in a stainless steel pitcher and it’s wonderful cold as well.

Make This Apple Cider Recipe Even Better … with Butter!

Every heard of butter in your coffee? On special occasions (and when it’s cold enough outside) we’ve also made this into grown-up cider with this Hot Buttered Rum recipe from Mommypotamus. (It does seem to be true that butter makes everything better!)

If you haven’t ever had cider this way, I seriously urge you to try it … it’s amazing! Cider, maple syrup, a touch of butter, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a dash of rum!

Now it’s a tradition we happily keep and serve for company during any holiday gathering.

How to Serve Apple Cider … the Wellness Mama Way

Granted, this apple cider isn’t exactly a health recipe as it does contain about 30 grams of sugar per cup. (If you need that, check out this immune-boosting Fire Cider or Apple Cider Vinegar recipe.)

In typical healthy mom fashion, I serve this in smaller cups. I’ve even been known to stir in a few tablespoons of gelatin or collagen for an extra boost of protein to help my kids ride out the sugar rush. (They’ll never know as long as you serve it hot … let it get cold and they might notice!)

Put this apple cider recipe in the slow cooker in the morning and have it ready for a cozy night around the fireplace with the family. Or, keep it warm in the slow cooker for guests at a fall party.

On the flip side, make this at night before bed and cook on low in the slow cooker so it is ready for breakfast (on Christmas perhaps!). Bonus: your house will smell amazing all day!

Homemade slowcooker hot apple cider recipe

Homemade slowcooker hot apple cider recipe
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4.16 from 19 votes

Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Made from fresh apples in a slow-cooker or Instant Pot. Add citrus and cinnamon for a naturally sweet and spicy treat for a winter night!
Course Drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings 1 gallon
Calories 79kcal
Author Katie Wells
The ingredient links below are affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Ingredients

  • 10 fresh apples
  • 1 orange
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • a dash of ground nutmeg
  • a dash of ground cloves or 4 whole cloves
  • 1 gallon filtered water

Instructions

  • Wash apples and peel if they aren't organic.
  • Cut into slices and place in slow cooker.
  • Wash orange, cut into 8 slices, and add to slow-cooker.
  • Add spices.
  • Pour water into the slow cooker and turn on low for about 6-8 hours. See notes for 1-hour Instant Pot option! I use my Instant Pot on the slow cooker option since I prefer to make this before bed and have it ready (and the house smelling incredible) for breakfast.
  • Strain out apples, orange, and spices using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer  and serve.

Notes

Serve hot or cold. Keep refrigerated for up to one week if there's any left!
1-Hour Instant Pot Option:
  1. Add all ingredients to pot.
  2. Fill with water to just below max fill line.
  3. Set to 1 hour on high pressure.
  4. Allow natural release and strain.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.9g | Protein: 0.5g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 15.6g

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Which drinks are a family tradition at your house?

Delicious and simple homemade apple cider recipe that you can make in a crockpot with apples, an orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

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Category: Drink Recipes, Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (59 Comments)

  1. Fiona

    December 24, 2014 at 11:02 PM

    You’re right, the smell is wonderful but the taste is a bit bland. I had to add some honey and extra organic apple juice to punch up the flavour a bit. Love that it cooks overnight though.

    Reply
    • Courtney

      January 3, 2016 at 1:28 PM

      I added maple syrup and that made it sweeter and made it taste better I still liked it without the syrup though

      Reply
  2. Terry

    December 24, 2014 at 11:31 AM

    5 stars
    I’ve always wondered how they turned apple juice into apple cider. It must be the whole apples and the cooking process? My son loves apple cider but every time I look at the ingredients I can’t bring myself to buy it. This will satisfy him, I’m sure. Thanks again, Katie!

    Reply
  3. Crystal

    December 24, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    I love your site so very much. I’ve been reading for almost a year and have learned so much. I did a similar apple cider recipe about a month ago. I didn’t have any apples so I used no sugar added organic apple juice and I’m not great with a crockpot so I used a regular pot. You’re right about the smell. It really is amazing. I’ll be trying your recipe very soon. Thank You.

    Reply
    • Amanda Jones

      March 6, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      How long did you have it in the pot and on what heat? I don’t have a slow cooker and am having a tough time finding someone in my area who has one. Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Kim

    December 24, 2014 at 1:43 AM

    Hi, I want to make this, but the recipe seems incomplete. Do you strain the final juice? Do you blend it or mash it first and then strain? Please answer! I really want to make this. Love all you do! Thanks for your hard work. : )

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      December 29, 2014 at 12:25 AM

      Yes 🙂 Somehow some of the recipe wasn’t showing! Sorry about that. Just strain through a wire strainer or cheesecloth before drinking.

      Reply
  5. Wandalea

    December 23, 2014 at 3:06 PM

    Sounds wonderful! I’m definitely going to try this.

    Reply
  6. Jenna

    December 23, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    I would love to make this for Christmas! Can ground cinnamon be substituted for the cinnamon sticks? And if so, how much would be the proper ratio?

    Reply
    • wanda bridges

      October 6, 2015 at 2:48 PM

      1 stick of Cinnamon = 1/2 to 1 teaspoon

      Reply
    • Courtney

      January 3, 2016 at 1:24 PM

      I used ground cinnamon but I can’t remember how much and you could also probably use one drop of cinnimon essential oil if you have that

      Reply
  7. Willow Feller

    December 23, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    do you have to staine it ?

    Reply
    • Courtney

      January 3, 2016 at 1:20 PM

      5 stars
      Yes cause the apples get really mushy and fall apart when you are trying to get it outlet but if you like pulp in your drinks then I guess not

      Reply
  8. Courtney

    December 23, 2014 at 6:47 AM

    This looks fabulous. I am going to try it. Perhaps I’ll add some sparkling water to the leftovers (if there are any) for a non alcoholic drink at dinner. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  9. Rosemary

    December 23, 2014 at 4:17 AM

    …you leave the orange peal on, right? ‘Cause that will give it a lovely citrus flavour!
    Then when it’s cooked you strain out the fruit or put it through muslin?
    I’ve never tried anything like this before. Is it alright to cool it in the fridge then drink it? I think it might be nice for the hot summer days we are having….
    Many thanks for the wonderful information you provide on your Website.
    Merry Christmas

    Reply
  10. cameron

    December 22, 2014 at 11:36 PM

    You genius you! I have been looking for a cider recipe as well and this is perfect and I can’t wait to wake up Christmas morning to this smell!!! Happy Winter Solstice!

    Reply
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