Description
A cozy, easy-to-make mulled cider that simmers in the slow cooker with apple cider, red wine, and warm spices. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe fills your home with an intoxicating aroma and provides a perfect winter treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 64 ounces (1.9 liters) 100% Apple Cider
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium lemon, sliced into rounds
- 3 large cinnamon sticks
- 3–4 star anise pods
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, to taste)
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced thinly
Instructions
- Wash the oranges and lemons thoroughly and slice them into thin rounds (about ¼-inch thick). Remove any large seeds if possible.
- Pour the apple cider into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the bottle of red wine to the slow cooker.
- Toss in the orange and lemon slices.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, allspice, and fresh ginger.
- Drizzle in the vanilla extract and sprinkle in the brown sugar.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours.
- After cooking, turn the slow cooker to WARM. Taste the cider and adjust sweetness with more brown sugar or tartness with lemon juice if needed.
- Ladle the hot cider into mugs. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with a fresh cinnamon stick or straining out the spices and fruit.
Notes
Do not use apple juice cocktail; use 100% apple cider for best flavor. Use whole spices, not ground, to avoid grittiness. Keep the cider on WARM rather than boiling to prevent alcohol evaporation and fruit disintegration. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the wine with extra apple cider. For a spiked version, add a shot of bourbon or whiskey per serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-4 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 28
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: mulled cider, slow cooker recipe, winter drinks, apple cider, red wine, cozy recipes, holiday drinks, non-alcoholic option