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.
Table of Contents
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.
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:
- Combine: Add all of the ingredients to the crockpot, then stir to combine.
- Cook and serve: Cover and cook on low until hot, then serve immediately or keep warm.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider FAQs
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.
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.
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!
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
Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
written by Ashley Fehr
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
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Penelope says
I tried making this, and the cider looked brown and nothing like the picture? Why is that?
Ashley Fehr says
I’m not sure how that would happen. I guess that different brands of juices could have different tints, but normally the red of the cranberry takes over and makes it quite pink.
Penelope says
What brands of juice did you use for the recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
I don’t think brands matter to much as long as you’re looking for a pure unsweetened juice. Pick a brand you trust!
Andrea says
Any reason you can’t use apple cider instead of juice?
Ashley Fehr says
You definitely can! I would just reduce the spices.
Candace says
Yum! I plan on making this for my daughters first birthday party at the end of October! I’m making for about 25 people so I’m guessing I need to triple the recipe. Do you think it will all fit in one crockpot? I have a 6 quart. Thanks!!
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry — the serving size is off! It will actually make 10 cups (though maybe only 6 mugs). A double recipe should fit in a 6 quart slow cooker, but I don’t think any more than that. It makes roughly 2.5 quarts of cider. I hope this helps!
Kelli says
Hi, if I use whole cloves instead of ground what would the ratio be?
Thanks! Can’t wait to try it!
Ashley Fehr says
I would just sprinkle a couple in 🙂
Katrina says
Do you think this could be made and bottled to give as a Christmas gift?
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry, I’m not sure how that would work! I would think it could be canned if done properly, like apple juice, but I don’t have any experience doing that.
April Reany says
Made it just as your recipe says and it was absolutely fantastic! I am making a large batch for an autumn church event and will also be making it for my friend’s Fall bridal shower. Thanks for sharing!
Natalie says
For an adult party which choice of alcohol would be best? Maybe a wine?
Ashley Fehr says
I don’t drink much alcohol so I can’t really say. Wine might work!
Cindy says
Im gonna try brandy.
Shannon says
I made it and added Jack Danials, “Winder Jack”. Super yum!
Amo says
How much did you use?
Dana says
Try a vanilla vodka, vanilla vodka doesn’t give off much sweetness & will make it a smooth transition from the apple to cranberry flavors pretty perfectly!
Krysten says
This looks absolutely perfect for fall!
I can’t wait to try it!!
Alicia says
The cranberries, apple and orange slices in the picture make the cider look very nice. But, I don’t see those in the recipe. Did you just add those for the picture or would you add those normally? If not just for the picture, are they added right before serving or earlier?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Alicia! They’re definitely not necessary, but feel free to add them before serving if you want to dress up your cider! I added them just for photos so you knew what you were looking at 🙂
Courtney says
I have a couple of questions. Can I use regular sugar instead? If so, would it be the same amount? Also, is this more tart or more on the sweet side? Thanks.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, you can use regular sugar and use the same amount! Feel free to taste and adjust at the end if need be. Hope that helps!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
Oh yum this sounds fantastic! I love apple cider! I bet its even better with cranberries!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This cider is just gorgeous, Ashley! The cranberry apple combo sounds perfect and can just imagine how amazing your house smelled while this was cooking! Love that you made it in the slow cooker too! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
How GORGEOUS is this cider? I am obsessed with these pictures! So pretty. And I bet your house smells amazing as this is warming in the slow cooker.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Natalie! Fruit is so darn pretty 😉
Kathleen says
Ashley this sounds so yummy! I think this will be in my Crock Pot this Thanksgiving! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kathleen! I hope you like it!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
This would be so perfect for Thanksgiving. Apple cider is my favorite and I love that it is made in the slow cooker.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen! Slow cooker anything is my favorite!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This cider is everything I want from fall! I can only imagine how ridiculously delicious your house smells while making this!
Ashley Fehr says
Totally! That is one of the best things about it 🙂
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
We always make apple cider for holiday breakfasts, for some reason, and I love that this one has cranberry too. That’s such a lovely idea! And anytime I can make something in a slow cooker, I’m a happy gal!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! Cranberry is pretty much my favorite thing right now — I feel the need to put it in pretty much everything!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Not only does this sound delicious, the aroma that will fill the house will be the best! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dorothy! It absolutely did smell wonderful!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
My family always has hot spiced apple cider at Thanksgiving while we’re waiting for the turkey to bake and I’m seriously considering making this cranberry version instead! It looks absolutely perfect, Ashley! Crockpot FTW too!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! Crock pot all day every day!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Ashley, I can leave a comment! hooray! I am seriously loving all these slow cooker recipes I am seeing for Thanksgiving! now, I just need like 3 more slow cookers! 😛 I love this cranberry apple cider! beautiful!!!! and festive! love this!
Ashley Fehr says
Yay! Thanks Alice! I have 2 slow cooker and it never seems like enough. Lol. I love having a few different sizes for different things!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love making cider in the slow cooker! This cranberry version looks delicious. So perfect for the cold and rainy weather that we’ve had!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle! The weather is slowly getting colder here too… a wee bit of snow and frost every morning. Definitely cider weather!