Description
Homemade hot apple cider made in the a slow cooker. And ideas for an apple cider bar. Perfect for Halloween, or Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Great for both adults and kids.
Ingredients
- HOT APPLE CIDER:
- 10 to 12 medium apples (I used a mix of Jonagold, Granny smith, Golden Delicious, and Gala. Any of your favorites will do)*
- 1 orange
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 whole nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 2 inches of fresh ginger (optional)
- 6 to 8 cups cold filtered water
- (optional) 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey to sweeten
- OPTIONS FOR THE BAR:
- Orange slices
- dried apples
- cinnamon sticks
- fresh ginger juice
- Cranberry juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Caramel sauce**
- OPTIONS FOR THE BOOZE:***
- Whiskey
- Bourbon
- Brandy
- Spiced Rum
- Cinnamon Whiskey
- Vodka
Instructions
- HOT APPLE CIDER:
- Wash and Quarter the apples and orange ( no need to peel or core them because we will strain the cooked apples at the end), place the fruit in a large slow cooker. Also add all of the spices.
- Fill the crock pot with water, leaving 1/2 inch from the top. For me it was about 6 cups, but this varies depending on how many apples you use.
- Cook at low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. An hour before the cider is done cooking use a potato masher, or the back of a wooden spoon to mash the apples into a pulp. Uncover and cook on high for 1 more hour.
- Once done cooking filter the cider through a fine mesh siv and into a bowl to catch the juice, pushing the juice out of the pulp with a spatula. You can run it through the siv a second time for an extra smooth cider, if you desire.
- Taste and add sweetener if desired. Serve hot. (also good cold)
- If serving this cider to guests rinse out your crock put and add the cider back in it. Keep the crock pot on warm or low to keep the cider hot, but don’t allow it to boil. Keep a ladle near by for serving. You could also use a large thermos.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. You could also freeze the cider.
- FOR THE BAR:
- Set out any alcohol that you plan to use (listed above) and any of the other add ins that you plan to use (listed above). You can place things in cute bottles or mason jars, or other dishes you may have. Set out shot glasses to measure alcohol and plenty of mugs. Label everything. And decorate the table according the season, if desired. Apples would be good any time of year. Pumpkins would be good for Halloween/fall. Greenery, twinkle lights, or candles would be great for Christmas/New year’s Eve. Keep it simple.
Notes
*For the apples and orange it is best to use organic when possible to avoid pesticides in the cider.
**For the caramel sauce you could do store bought or make your own. For a vegan caramel sauce made with coconut sugar I made Minimalist Baker’s Coconut Sugar Caramel Sauce found in her Everyday Cooking cookbook. It’s really good! Another recipe to try would be this one.
***Keep in mind that not all alcohol is gluten free. Whiskey and bourbon are not gluten free because they use grains that contain gluten to make it. Brandy is usually gluten free, but keep an eye out. Vodka is not normally gluten free, but Tito’s is.
TIPS FOR MAKING AHEAD:
-You could make the cider up to 2 days ahead of time, reheat just before serving.
-You could make the caramel sauce and ginger juice ahead of time.
-You could decorate your table ahead of time
-You may want to consider making a double batch of cider depending on how many people you invite to your party. You could easily both batches into the slow cooker after it’s cooked in there aren’t any apples left.
Slow Cooker Apple CiderRecipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven
