Cozy Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider: Easy Homemade Recipe
This cozy slow cooker caramel apple cider is the kind of drink that makes you want to wrap up in a blanket and not move for a few hours. It’s sweet, but not cloying, with a real apple flavor that comes from actual fruit, not just juice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes to 8 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart, such as Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 cups apple cider or juice (unfiltered preferred)
- 2 cups water
- 3–4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 2–3 star anise pods (optional)
- 1 medium orange (sliced into rounds)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Peel the apples, core them, and slice into thin wedges about ½-inch thick.
- Place the apple slices, orange rounds, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise (if using) into the slow cooker. Pour the caramel sauce over the top, then add the apple cider and water. Stir gently to combine. Add the pinch of salt and brown sugar if using.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Once cooking time is up, strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or pot. Use the back of a spoon to press on the solids to extract extra liquid. Discard the solids.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. If too strong, add a splash more water or apple juice.
- Serve warm in mugs, garnished with a fresh cinnamon stick, apple slice, or drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
Don’t skip the orange; it brightens the flavor. Watch the cloves—too many can make the cider taste medicinal. Strain carefully to avoid mushy apple bits. Keep warm on the ‘warm’ setting for parties. Make ahead for better flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 38
- Sodium: 100
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
Keywords: slow cooker caramel apple cider, homemade apple cider, fall drink, warm apple cider, caramel apple cider, easy cider recipe