Cozy Slow Cooker Apple Cider Cocktail: Easy Fall Recipe
A warm, spiced apple cider cocktail made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Perfect for fall gatherings, this recipe combines apple cider, cinnamon, citrus, and bourbon for a cozy, aromatic drink that fills your home with autumn scents.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 64 ounces apple cider
- 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
- 3–4 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves (about 6–8 cloves)
- 2 whole star anise pods (optional but recommended)
- 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup (to taste)
- 1.5 cups bourbon, whiskey, or dark rum
- Fresh apple slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into a 4-6 quart slow cooker and turn it on low heat to warm.
- Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise pods. Stir gently to submerge.
- Drizzle in the maple syrup if using, and stir again. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Cover and heat on low for 2-3 hours to infuse the spices.
- About 20 minutes before serving, pour in the bourbon, whiskey, or dark rum. Stir gently and let warm through on low.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired.
- Ladle into mugs and garnish with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Don’t boil the cider; low heat preserves fresh apple flavor. Remove whole cloves before serving to avoid bitterness. For deeper flavor, toast spices in a dry skillet for 60 seconds before adding. The non-alcoholic version is delicious: skip the alcohol and add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and a split vanilla bean. Leftover infused cider (without alcohol) keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days; with alcohol, 3-4 days. The flavor improves overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 28
Keywords: slow cooker apple cider cocktail, warm fall cocktail, spiced apple cider, bourbon apple cider, easy cocktail recipe, slow cooker drink, autumn cocktail