Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A warm, aromatic apple cider infused with cinnamon and cloves, slowly simmered to fill your home with cozy holiday scents. This American Christmas recipe, ready in about 245 minutes, brings together apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 6, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 cups apple cider
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 1 strip orange peel, about 2 inches long
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 whole star anise
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced thinly

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour 8 cups apple cider into a slow cooker set to low heat.
2. Step 2: Add 4 cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, 1 strip of orange peel (about 2 inches), 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 star anise pods, and 1-inch piece of thinly sliced fresh ginger to the cider.
3. Step 3: Stir gently to combine the brown sugar, then cover and cook on low for 4 hours, allowing the spices to infuse and the cider to warm thoroughly.
4. Step 4: After 4 hours, remove the spices and orange peel using a slotted spoon or strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve.
5. Step 5: Serve warm in mugs, optionally garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice for festive presentation.