Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings 10

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This Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider is made with the perfect combination of apple, cranberry, and orange juices. It’s warm, sweet, cozy, and perfect for your next Thanksgiving or Christmas party.

slow cooker cranberry apple cider in black crockpot with apple slices orange slices cinnamon sticks and cranberries

Cider has never really been something my family has at our holiday gatherings. But after making this Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider, I think you can count on it being at every holiday get-together from here on out.

I’ve had traditional apple cider, and it’s delicious. But I have to say, I do enjoy a good flavor twist. And I love any recipe made with cranberry!

For this apple cider recipe, I used pure, unsweetened juices with just a bit of sugar so you can control the added sweetness and sugar. This drink is warm, cozy, and perfect for the holidays!

Love cranberries? Try this Orange Cranberry Bread or these White Chocolate Cranberry Sweet Rolls next!

Ingredients Needed:

  • Juice: we’re using a combination of pure, unsweetened apple juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
  • Sweetener: I usually use granulated sugar, but feel free to use another sweetener like stevia or honey.
  • Spices: we’re using whole cinnamon sticks and ground cloves to give the cider a bit of sweet, spicy flavor.
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How to Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Any recipe I can prep in 5 minutes is one I want in my life! Here’s how to make this super simple cider:

  1. Combine: Add all of the ingredients to the crockpot, then stir to combine.
  2. Cook and serve: Cover and cook on low until hot, then serve immediately or keep warm.
mug of cranberry apple cider in hands with toothpick across holding apples and cranberries

Slow Cooker Apple Cider FAQs

How do you keep Apple Cider warm at a party?

You can keep the cider warm in the crockpot, which makes it super convenient to make ahead of time for a holiday party. Just make it as instructed, then leave it in the crockpot on the “low” or “warm” setting.

Can this be made on the stovetop?

You can! It just may not be as flavorful since the spices will have less time to infuse into the cider. To make the cider on the stove, add everything to a large pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat, cover, and warm for 30 minutes.

How to store:

Leftover Cranberry Apple Cider will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge. To reheat, warm on the stove on low until heated or microwave single servings in microwave-safe mugs!

overhead image of slow cooker with cider in it and apple slices orange slices cranberries and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Tips and Notes

  • Use whole spices if you can. They soak in the cider and infuse so much delicious flavor without any risk of graininess.
  • If you can’t find whole spices, ground should work. I would never add ground spices to a cold drink, but they should dissolve completely as the cider heats, so it works just as well.
  • If you use ground spices and you notice clumps in the finished cider, simply strain it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
  • Add other seasonings. Spice things up even more with allspice or fresh ginger.
  • Make it boozy. Feel free to spike your cider with a couple ounces of rum, bourbon, or whiskey!

More Holiday Beverages You’ll Love

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Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

4.74 from 56 votes
This Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider is made with the perfect combination of apple, cranberry, and orange juices. It's warm, sweet, cozy, and perfect for your next Thanksgiving or Christmas party.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Drinks
Servings 10
Calories 129cal

Ingredients

  • 1 liter apple juice pure unsweetened
  • 2 cups orange juice pure unsweetened
  • 1 liter cranberry juice unsweetened
  • 1/4-1/2 cup sugar (stevia, honey or other sweetener) (to taste)
  • 3 cinnamon sticks whole
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a 4 quart or larger slow cooker. Stir.
  • Cook at least 3-4 hours on low or until hot. Keep warm as long as needed on the low or warm setting.
  • *Leftovers refrigerate wonderfully and reheat just fine!

Notes

I was going to add whole cloves and allspice, but I couldn’t find any! I would never add ground spices to a cold drink, but the ground spices dissolve completely as the cider is heated so it works just as well. If you can find ground cloves and allspice and want to go that route, it would also be amazing!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 129cal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 281mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.6mg

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Kelli gilliam says

    I have made this a couple of times. It was a hit both times! I used the pure, unsweetened juices and did not add the sugar. It is a little tart but very good! (Also, I don’t care for cloves so I reduced the amount)

  2. Dode says

    I made this for my niece’s bridal shower and it was a huge hit! It went so fast, it was gone before I was able to have a cup! Now it is requested for all our Fall get togethers.

  3. Sam @ GadgetCouncil says

    Looks tasty, I am going to try the recipe tomorrow, not sure I’ll be able to create something like in the picture.

  4. Vicki Reese says

    This looks wonderful, can’t wait to try it for my book club. As I have both how much allspice and star anise should I add?

  5. Elaine says

    Ashley, I really like how simple this recipe is! And the result is outstanding! I also like the video recipe – quick and easy!

  6. Alyssa says

    Hello! I am not able to find the unsweetened apple and unsweetened orange juices in my town. Is it possible to make this using regular juices?

  7. Joannie says

    It loiks delicious! I wish to make it as a gift.. Can I put tne cider in glass bottle? How can I keep it and how many time?

    Thanks a lot ?

  8. Abbey says

    It was delicious! I didn’t have enough apple juice, so I increased the oj and cranberry juice. I didn’t care for it that way. So when I reheated the leftovers, I made an apple cider from a packet then mixed it with your recipe. Much better! So I would definitely do it your way in the future!

  9. Deborah Vivona says

    I JUST found your recipe…I want to make this for company Sunday! What DID you use for the star cut-out round slices ?
    Apple slices,rounds? without coring? with tiny cookie cutter stars cut out?
    I love the visual of your cranberry apple cider!
    Nice photography 🙂

  10. Jamie says

    In the picture you have sliced apples, and cranberries along with with the cinnamon sticks, is it nessacary to add the apples and cranberries or is that just for looks?

  11. Robyn says

    I’m making this right now for my little girls playgroup winter celebration!! It looks deeeeelicious! Thanks so much for the post! I think I’m just gonna have to make this a tradition In my house at xmas time!!❄ ?❄thanks again

  12. Mindy says

    I am finding that a lot of cranberry juices while being 100% juice are actually a blend of a few different juices. Is a blend okay to use for this recipe or do you recommend a 100% all cranberry juice?

  13. Ayleen Santana says

    Hi! If I want to add the slice of oranges, apples and the cranberries, those alterate the flavor or it doesn’t matter? I would like to add them, because I like more how you presented the recipe in the picture. Looks spectacular!

  14. Liz says

    Is this supposed to have allspice in it? I see it mentioned in the note, but not in the ingredients list. Assembled this tonight to heat up in the morning for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner!

  15. Elizabeth says

    This sounds lovely and I plan on making it for thanksgiving. I couldn’t seem to find sugar free juices tho. So I hope using regular juice will be fine and just omit the sugar.

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