Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Crockpot Apple Cider is the easiest way to make delicious apple cider from scratch! This Caramel Apple Cider is the BEST drink recipe for fall. Make it a co*cktail or mocktail, both are DELISH. I crave this comforting sip all year round!

Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe

Crockpot Apple Cider makes it easy to create this tasty fall drink from scratch. I love the added flavor of this Caramel Apple Cider recipe, and it’s a skinny version!

I know it’s almost November, but things didn’t officially feel like Fall until I had my first sip of this Caramel Apple Cider. Skinny Crockpot Apple Cider to be precise. There is so much to love about this fall drink recipe and I’m so excited to share it with you!

Making apple cider from scratch is such a fun and festive way to celebrate fall. And making crockpot apple cider is the easiest way to do that! Just put your ingredients in a slow cooker and let it simmer. It’s easy to make, and it keeps the cider nice and warm throughout any autumn parties you might have.

This caramel apple cider is also a “skinny” recipe that has less sugar without losing the flavor, so you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging in this delicious beverage. You can make this recipe with alcohol or without alcohol, so it’s truly something everyone will love! Add the vodka for parties, or leave it out for family gatherings.

The leaves are changing, the weather is crisp, and our house is filled with the amazing smells of Autumn coming straight from my crockpot. I love this slow cooker apple cider and I know you will too!

Make Crockpot Apple Cider from scratch to celebrate the fall season. This skinny Caramel Apple Cider recipe will put a smile on everyone’s face!

Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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Slow Cooker Apple Cider for Fall

This learning to cook journey has taken me all kinds of places. So many things that I assumed took tons of time or effort have turned out to be SO EASY, and this Crockpot Apple Cider takes the cake for easy. You can make it in a SLOW COOKER and you literally cannot mess it up. It’s heaven I tell you!

I decided to make a Caramel Apple Cider because, well…caramel and apple are a match made in heaven. I love apple everything, but it doesn’t really say AUTUMN IS HERE until you throw in that sweet caramel flavor. And since we’re using a sugar-free caramel sauce, we don’t have to add any sugar or calories to get that added flavor. Win win!

Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)
Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

How to Make Crockpot Apple Cider – Step by Step

Making apple cider in a slow cooker has really changed the game for me. Now that I know how easy it is to make apple cider from scratch, I’m going to be making this Caramel Apple Cider for me and my family every fall!

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Cut the apples and orange into quarters (no need to peel them)
  2. Place apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves into the crockpot, and fill it up with water.
  3. Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 8 hours OR or on high for 4 hours.
  4. When it’s done cooking, use a potato masher to mash up the softened fruit (do this while the cider is still in the slow cooker). Then pour the cider through a strainer.
  5. Run it through a fine-mesh strainer for a second time, and then put the caramel apple cider back in the crockpot.
  6. Stir in the sweeteners (stevia, agave nectar) and the caramel sauce. (If you want to add alcohol, add it in during this step).

Your crockpot apple cider is ready! Keep it in the slow cooker on low to keep it warm while serving. Garnish is with apple slices and cinnamon sticks, and create a caramel rim for your glass for some extra fun! If you have any leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Crockpot Apple Cider (Caramel Apple Cider) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

I hope you’re enjoying this cooler weather as much as I am. A cup of this Caramel Apple Cider is just the thing you need for this time of year. Crockpot Apple Cider is so much easier than you think, so make a batch of it ASAP. You can do it!

If you like this caramel apple cider recipe, you’ll love these fall drink recipes too:

  • Sparkling Apple Pie on the Rocks
  • Apple Cider Mimosa
  • Caramel Apple Sangria
  • Apple Butter Old Fashioned co*cktail
  • Caramel Apple Hot Toddy co*cktail
  • Homemade Apple Pie Vodka
  • Apple Pie Moscow Mule
  • Hot Cranberry Apple Spiced Cider

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe

Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe

4.50 from 12 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 8 hours hours

Total: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Serves12 people

Print Rate

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Cook up this warm, well-spiced apple cider in a Crockpot, vodka optional!

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Ingredients

  • 10 apples
  • 1 orange quartered
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 14 cups water
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup caramel vodka optional
  • cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and orange slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Add sliced apples and oranges to large slow cooker. Don’t worry about peeling them, you will strain later. Add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves to the slow cooker. Fill the slow cooker with water almost all the way to the top. For me it was about 14 cups, but you can use more or less.

    10 apples, 1 orange, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 teaspoons whole cloves, 14 cups water

  • Cover slow cooker and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours.

  • After the cooking time, take a potato masher and mash the fruit fully in the slow cooker. Go slowly so you do not spill the water over the sides.

  • Pour cider through a strainer to remove any of the large fruit chunks and spices.

  • Follow by straining again through a fine-mesh strainer to make even more refined. Press the mixture through the mesh to get all the juice out that’s possible. Return the remaining cider to the slow cooker.

  • Stir in sugar, agave nectar, and caramel sauce. Stir in alcohol if desired.

    1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup agave nectar, 1/4 cup caramel sauce, 1/2 cup caramel vodka

  • Keep on low while serving, or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.

  • Serve hot, garnished with apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks. I dipped the rim of the glass in caramel sauce for some extra fun. Enjoy

    cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and orange slices for garnish (optional)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 123kcal (6%) Carbohydrates: 26g (9%) Sodium: 33mg (1%) Potassium: 191mg (5%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 16g (18%) Vitamin A: 110IU (2%) Vitamin C: 12.8mg (16%) Calcium: 37mg (4%) Iron: 0.3mg (2%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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FAQs

What can I add to hard apple cider to make it taste better? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar/Fruit Vinegars

Sugars are added to make these vinegars palatable while their natural acidity will complement the dry flavor of the cider. Go with varieties like passionfruit and blackcurrant to build on the bright, fruity flavors of apple cider.

What makes apple cider taste good? ›

Apple cider is a tasty drink comprised of freshly pressed apples, often served infused with spices such as cinnamon, anise, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Just about any apple makes decent cider, though the nuances of each apple variety will permeate the beverage.

Can you make cider with Granny Smith apples? ›

Homemade Apple Cider Ingredients:

Fresh apples: As you can see, I enjoy making cider with a rainbow of apples. But feel free to use whichever varieties (or mix of varieties) that you love most. I recommend a mix of tart (i.e. Granny Smith) and sweet (i.e. Gala or Golden Delicious) apples.

How do you make homemade cider better? ›

Caroline advises that with the addition of a little apple juice or elderflower cordial there is every chance that you will be able to turn your cider from puckering to perfect. Just don't put the lid back on it and pop it in the cupboard as it may well start to ferment again.

How do you make homemade cider sweeter? ›

If you like your cider sweeter, then you can add a sweetener as well as the priming sugar in the bottling step (not extra sugar) to the bottle at the point of bottling.

What alcohol is good in apple cider? ›

Many alcohols mix well with apple cider. Dark liquors like bourbon (my pick) or dark rum are traditional, but they are by no means the only option. Vodka pairs well with apple cider and is a good light option. You can even let guests each pick their own.

What's good to mix with apple cider? ›

Traditionally cider is spiked with dark spirits, like the rum and bourbon in the recipes above. But what if you want something a little lighter? Vodka can do the trick. Since it doesn't contribute much in the way of flavor, we add fresh ginger for its distinctive, peppery-sweet flavor.

Why does my cider taste bad? ›

Between day 9 and 12 of active fermentation the cider loses all apple flavor and becomes bitter.

Can you use rotten apples for cider? ›

It is important that during preparation, any rotten apples are removed. Using these in your cider will mean your brew is undrinkable, not to mention the foul smell!

What are the best apples for sweet cider? ›

For sweeter cider, try Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, or Red Delicious varieties; for a more acidic ghostwriter seminararbeit, tart flavor, go with Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonathan, or McIntosh. A blend of apples from both the sweet and tart flavor families is sure to be a hit!

How many apples are needed for apple cider? ›

The number of apples required to make a gallon of apple cider can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of apple, its ripeness, the juicing method, and the desired sweetness and flavor of the cider. However, on average, it takes around 36 medium-sized apples to make one gallon of apple cider.

What is the gunk in apple cider? ›

We call it “The Mother”, it is the cloudy substance at. the bottom that contains enzymes and acetic acid. known to: 🍎 Produce healthy bacteria and prebiotics.

Why is my apple cider so fizzy? ›

After several weeks, depending on storage conditions, cider develops a slight fizz that is the result of natural fermentation. According to cider makers, many older folks like fizzy cider while younger consumers do not. Regardless, it's safe to drink, but may contain traces of alcohol.

Can you drink apple cider straight up? ›

It's absolutely important to dilute ACV before consuming it. Having it straight can harm your teeth and esophagus.

What do you mix hard apple cider with? ›

Mix it with tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau to make an Apple Cider Margarita with a cinnamon sugar rim, or pour a perfect counterpart to bourbon in a batch of Bushels and Barrels.

What can you add to hard cider? ›

If you still want more apple flavor, you can add artificial apple flavoring. It's potent stuff, so be careful and add it a little at a time, tasting often. If you want it sweeter, mix in as much sugar substitute as you like (3 Tbsp is a common amount to use, if it measures cup for cup to sugar).

How do you make hard cider more alcoholic? ›

One simple method is to add sugar to the apple juice. A pound of sugar to five gallons will increase the alcohol by 2%. However, this does affect the flavor of the cider by thinning it out. Adding a pound won't be too noticeable but more would.

How do you reduce the bitterness in apple cider? ›

There are a few reasons your cider may be bitter: You didn't use enough sweetener. To fix this, taste a spoonful of cider, and if it isn't sweet enough, simply stir in more of your prefered sweetener.

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