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Mugs of hot mulled apple cider with orange slices and cinnamon sticks beside a slow cooker

Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider

Apple cider slow-simmered with orange slices, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. A warm, alcohol-free holiday drink with five minutes of prep.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups apple cider ½ gallon
  • 1 orange sliced into rounds
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise optional
  • 1 inch piece fresh ginger sliced, optional
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar optional, to taste

Method
 

  1. Pour the apple cider into a slow cooker.
  2. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and ginger.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours or on high for 1½–2 hours, until hot and fragrant.
  4. Taste and stir in the maple syrup or brown sugar if you’d like it sweeter.
  5. Switch to warm. Ladle into mugs, leaving the whole spices behind, and garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.

Notes

  • Unfiltered apple cider has the richest flavor. Apple juice works too; skip the added sweetener.
  • Push the cloves into the orange slices so they’re easy to fish out later.
  • No slow cooker? Simmer everything gently in a large pot on the stove for 20–30 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
  • For the adults, add a splash of bourbon or dark rum to individual mugs.