(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Drinks

written by Ashley Fehr

4.74 from 56 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings 10

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on January 26, 2024

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider is made with the perfect combination of apple, cranberry, and orange juices. It’s warm, sweet, cozy, and perfect for your next Thanksgiving or Christmas party.

(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (2)

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients Needed:
  • How to Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
  • Slow Cooker Apple Cider FAQs
  • Tips and Notes
  • More Holiday Beverages You’ll Love
  • Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

Cider has never really been something my family has at our holiday gatherings. But after making this Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider, I think you can count on it being at every holiday get-together from here on out.

I’ve had traditional apple cider, and it’s delicious. But I have to say, I do enjoy a good flavor twist. And I love any recipe made with cranberry!

For this apple cider recipe, I used pure, unsweetened juices with just a bit of sugar so you can control the added sweetness and sugar. This drink is warm, cozy, and perfect for the holidays!

Love cranberries? Try this Orange Cranberry Bread or these White Chocolate Cranberry Sweet Rolls next!

Ingredients Needed:

  • Juice: we’re using a combination of pure, unsweetened apple juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
  • Sweetener: I usually use granulated sugar, but feel free to use another sweetener like stevia or honey.
  • Spices: we’re using whole cinnamon sticks and ground cloves to give the cider a bit of sweet, spicy flavor.

How to Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Any recipe I can prep in 5 minutes is one I want in my life! Here’s how to make this super simple cider:

  1. Combine: Add all of the ingredients to the crockpot, then stir to combine.
  2. Cook and serve: Cover and cook on low until hot, then serve immediately or keep warm.
(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (3)

Slow Cooker Apple Cider FAQs

How do you keep Apple Cider warm at a party?

You can keep the cider warm in the crockpot, which makes it super convenient to make ahead of time for a holiday party. Just make it as instructed, then leave it in the crockpot on the “low” or “warm” setting.

Can this be made on the stovetop?

You can! It just may not be as flavorful since the spices will have less time to infuse into the cider. To make the cider on the stove, add everything to a large pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat, cover, and warm for 30 minutes.

How to store:

Leftover Cranberry Apple Cider will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge. To reheat, warm on the stove on low until heated or microwave single servings in microwave-safe mugs!

(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (4)

Tips and Notes

  • Use whole spices if you can. They soak in the cider and infuse so much delicious flavor without any risk of graininess.
  • If you can’t find whole spices, ground should work. I would never add ground spices to a cold drink, but they should dissolve completely as the cider heats, so it works just as well.
  • If you use ground spices and you notice clumps in the finished cider, simply strain it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
  • Add other seasonings. Spice things up even more with allspice or fresh ginger.
  • Make it boozy. Feel free to spike your cider with a couple ounces of rum, bourbon, or whiskey!

More Holiday Beverages You’ll Love

Drinks

Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Drinks

Slow Cooker Cranberry White Hot Chocolate

Drinks

Crockpot Hot Chocolate — easy and homemade!

(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (9)

Pin this recipe to save for later

Pin this recipe to your favorite board

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

written by Ashley Fehr

4.74 from 56 votes

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider is made with the perfect combination of apple, cranberry, and orange juices. It's warm, sweet, cozy, and perfect for your next Thanksgiving or Christmas party.

(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (11)

Save

Review

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Drinks

Servings 10

Calories 129cal

Ingredients

  • 1 liter apple juice pure unsweetened
  • 2 cups orange juice pure unsweetened
  • 1 liter cranberry juice unsweetened
  • 1/4-1/2 cup sugar (stevia, honey or other sweetener) (to taste)
  • 3 cinnamon sticks whole
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a 4 quart or larger slow cooker. Stir.

  • Cook at least 3-4 hours on low or until hot. Keep warm as long as needed on the low or warm setting.

  • *Leftovers refrigerate wonderfully and reheat just fine!

Notes

I was going to add whole cloves and allspice, but I couldn’t find any! I would never add ground spices to a cold drink, but the ground spices dissolve completely as the cider is heated so it works just as well. If you can find ground cloves and allspice and want to go that route, it would also be amazing!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 129cal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 281mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Want to save this recipe?

Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.

Register Now

Tried this recipe?

Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!

Tag @thereciperebel
(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (12)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Read More

You May Also Like

Drinks

Strawberry Milk

Drinks

Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Drinks

Strawberry Lemonade

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lena says

    When did you garnish with cranberries and apples?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Lena! You can garnish it when you are ready to serve it.

      Reply

  2. Katie says

    Going to make this for a party tonight but seem to be having trouble finding the unsweetened versions of the juices. Is it going to mess with the flavor if I use the sweet versions? (Obviously I won’t be adding the additional sugar)

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Katie, I don’t think it would mess with it to much.

      Reply

  3. Anne says

    If you put whole cloves in instead of ground cloves- what amount would you put in?
    Also, how much whole allspice would you put in?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Anne, I’ve only tested the recipe as is, but I believe if you Google the conversions you’ll get an equivalent amount. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  4. Danielle says

    are there cranberries in this recipe? I didn’t see them listed in the ingredients but saw them in the photo/

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Danielle, the fresh cranberries and orange slices are for presentation purposes. You are using cranberry and orange juice in the recipe itself.

      Reply

  5. Donna says

    Can you add Rum or another liquor for an adult drink with your recipe?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Donna, I am sure you could, I just haven’t tried it myself. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!

      Reply

  6. Kathy Miller says

    Ooooh, I made this last week when we had company for dinner! It was so good! The only thing I changed was that I used apple cider instead of apple juice and used a little less sugar. It was a huge hit! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply

« Older Comments

Leave A Reply

(Crock Pot) Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider -- Easy Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to cook with apple juice or cider? ›

Tasters were turned off by excessive sweetness in the dishes made with apple juice, unanimously preferring those made with cider. This made sense: The filtration process used in making juice removes some of the complex, tart, and bitter flavors that are still present in cider.

What does cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, and baking soda do? ›

This easy-to-make detox drink is refreshing and will help flush out toxins from your body, boost your immune system, and support your digestive health. 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix everything and enjoy. Preferably, drink it on an empty stomach and 30 minutes before breakfast.

What is cranberry hard cider? ›

Cranberry Hard Cider

Our Unique blend of apples and New England cranberries strikes a delicate balance of sweet and tart. Ingredients: Fresh pressed Cider, Sugar, Malic Acid, Natural Flavor, Sulfites to protect flavor and freshness. Lightly carbonated.

Can you use apple juice instead of cider in cooking? ›

Good news! If you're in a bind, you can substitute cider with apple juice in a recipe. Just make sure it's unsweetened apple juice, so your recipe isn't too far off from its original flavor profile. If you don't have unsweetened apple juice on hand, you can reduce the sugar in your recipe.

What makes cider taste better? ›

Pectolase Powder. If Pectolase is added at the start it will improve the taste in the cider as they help to bring out flavours and without this addition you won't have clear cider. Add one teaspoon per 5 litres (1 gallon).

Is it OK to drink straight apple cider? ›

It's absolutely important to dilute ACV before consuming it. Having it straight can harm your teeth and esophagus.

How much apple cider vinegar should I mix with cranberry juice? ›

It's generally recommended to combine four ounces of pure cranberry juice with one to two teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar and top with six ounces of fresh water. It's crucial to avoid sugar-added cranberry juice, which can cause blood sugar imbalances and weight gain.

What does cranberry and apple cider vinegar do for you? ›

Cranberry juice is often consumed for its high antioxidant content and potential benefits for urinary tract health. Apple cider vinegar is known for its acidic nature and is believed to support digestion, weight loss, and blood sugar regulation, although scientific evidence is limited.

What can I mix with apple cider vinegar to lose belly fat? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar And Tea: Add a teaspoon to a tablespoon of ACV to your tea. The best options are green tea, ginger tea, turmeric tea, and chai tea. These teas combat inflammation and can help you to burn fat.

What's the difference between apple cider and hard cider? ›

Simply put, the difference between apple cider and hard cider is the alcohol content (or the lack thereof). Apple cider is apple juice that has not been filtered and still contains all the apple pieces, pulp, and sediment. It is the raw, purer version of apple juice.

What is the weakest cider? ›

Low ABV Ciders
  • Stem Ciders Hibiscus Session, 4.3% ABV.
  • Ulee's Ciders Dry, 4% ABV.
  • Eric Bordelet Cidre Tendre, 3.5% ABV.
  • Dan Kelly's Cider Original, 4.5% ABV.
  • Cidrerie Daufresne Poiré, 4% ABV.
  • E.Z. Orchards Poire, 4.8% ABV.
  • Cidrerie L'Hermitiere Poiré, 4% ABV.
  • Argus Cidery Ciderkin, 4.5% ABV.
Jan 19, 2020

What kind of alcohol is hard apple cider? ›

Hard cider is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apples (like how wine is made from fermented grapes). Like wine, starting with fruit gives hard cider taste profiles that range from fruity to dry. Your palette can pick up on the acids and tannins that come from the wide variety of apples.

What apple is best for homemade cider? ›

The apple varieties that we generally find in stores and that are used for the making of modern-style ciders include McIntosh, Golden and Red Delicious, Goldrush, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Idared, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Gala, and Fuji.

Which is healthier, apple cider or apple juice? ›

Cider contains more of apples' polyphenol compounds than clear commercial apple juice. Fresh cider from cider apples may contain from two to four times the amount of these healthful compounds compared to clear commercial apple juice because of the apple varieties used and the extra processing to make clear juice.

What kind of apple juice do you use to make hard cider? ›

You need apple juice without preservatives, so no potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate (citric acid is ok). Head to your grocery store and look for it in the organic section. “Tradition” brand organic apple juice gives good results, but nothing beats fresh juice from the orchard or even juice you've squeezed yourself.

Is cider good for cooking? ›

Most often you will find you will use cider for braising meat, in sauces and gravy or for pickling fruit. Mulled cider, a warming treat for Bonfire Night or Christmas, is made in much the same way as mulled wine and is best made using a dry, still farmhouse cider.

Does apple juice and apple cider taste the same? ›

Apple cider is fresh, unfiltered, and often unpasteurized. It's also considered a seasonal drink and can be hard to find outside of the autumn months. Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a longer shelf life, a sweeter taste, and a smoother texture.

Should I spray my ribs with apple juice or apple cider vinegar? ›

What to Spritz Meat With. If you are curious about what to spritz meat with, here is my #1 preference: Apple cider vinegar.

Should I boil apple juice before making cider? ›

As you are making hard cider you just need to juice the apples then add your choosen yeast to the juice. You don't need to boil or even wash them, but you can. Many traditional ciders are fermented with the yeasts and bacteria found on the skins of the apples with no additional yeasts added.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 6134

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.