Spiced Apple Cider

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Store-bought apple cider just doesn’t hit like it used to. They have diluted the flavor so much that it just tastes like basic apple juice. That’s why I started hooking it up to make my hot spiced apple cider recipe. It’s so easy. I just grab the store-bought cider and add in fruit slices, warm spices like cinnamon and cloves and let it all come together in a slow cooker. I even serve mugs with a little whipped cream and caramel sauce like a boss. There is no better drink to serve during the fall boos.

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Three mugs of spiced cider with whipped cream and caramel sauce surrounded by a coral napkin

Recipe Tutorial

How to Make Spiced Apple Cider

An overhead of a crockpot filled with apple cider, oranges, apples, lemons, cinnamon and nutmeg

Step 1: In a 5 quart crock pot on low heat, add the apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon slices, orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and star anise.

apple cider in three mugs ready to serve

Step 2: Allow the punch to warm for 3-4 hours.

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apple cider in three mugs ready to serve

Step 3: Serve warm. Ladle into serving glasses.

Cider in three mugs with caramel sauce drizzled on top

Step 4: If you want, top with whipped cream and caramel.

Three mugs of spiced cider with whipped cream and caramel sauce surrounded by a coral napkin

Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

This warm, cozy, fragrant and spiced Hot Apple Cider is this Autumn’s go-to drink! Made with rich apple cider, fresh fruit and an assortment of pungent, earthy spices, this cider is well-balanced and oh-so comforting!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams
Course: Drink
Servings: 18 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon apple cider
  • 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbsp ground nutmeg
  • 3 lemon slices 1/2 lemon
  • 3 orange slices 1/2 orange
  • 4 apple slices 1/2 apple
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 5 star anise pieces up to 6

Instructions

  • In a 5 quart crock pot on low heat, add the apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon slices, orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and star anise.
  • Allow the punch to warm for 3-4 hours. Serve warm. Ladle into serving glasses.
  • Top with whipped cream and caramel if desired.
  • Or you can serve chilled by removing the fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise pieces after it’s cooked and storing the punch in the fridge overnight. NOTE: You can add water to the punch if it's too sweet for your taste.

Video

Notes

You can also serve chilled by removing the fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise pieces after it’s cooked and storing the punch in the fridge overnight.
NOTE: You can add water to the punch if it’s too sweet for your taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
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Recipe Tips

  • No Slow Cooker?: If you don’t have a crockpot on hand, use a large pot and simmer over medium-low heat for about an hour.
  • Spike It: You can add in a little whiskey or bourbon to spike this. Start with ½ an ounce of liquor per 8oz glass of cider. Take a taste then adjust based on your preference.

Favorite Fall Apple Recipes

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Filed Under:  Drinks, Fall Recipes, Seasonal Recipes, Stovetop

Comments

  1. Was the winner we needed for my stepdaughter’s birthday this year!! Was a hit with young and old alike. DELICIOUS.

    Reply

  3. Oh my goodness, you’re amazing! So this year for Christmas/Yule, I purchased several clear glass cider mugs. (Yes, I’m getting my shopping done early!). And I wanted to create cute little gift sets, including spices for apple cider. And your recipe looks perfect for the job! And I can even tuck in some fresh fruit for that extra awesome factor! I’ll just let them do the slicing. 🙂

    Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! So many others seem to require various fruit juices, which I’m not overly a fan of including because of all the additional sugar from the juices…even though the ones I’ve made do taste good. I really like the look of your recipe, and I love the inclusion of the fresh fruit slices. Pretty and functional without adding too many extra calories.

    When the temps go back down here in PA in about a week or less, I’ll make myself some…so I can rave about it when I give it as gifts! I’ll be sure to let them know I got the recipe here from you. 🙂 Thanks again!

    P.S. I just love your blog name: Grandbaby Cakes. Seeing/hearing it always brings a smile to my face.

    Reply

  7. Absolutely wonderful – the perfect balance of spice, and so deliciously warming – we will be making this on repeat during fall!

    Reply
5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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