Description

A cozy, low-effort holiday drink made in a slow cooker with real fruit, fresh spices, and tart cranberry juice. This mulled cider is complex, comforting, and customizable with optional alcohol.

Ingredients

Scale

64 ounces apple cider (preferably refrigerated/fresh pressed)
46 ounces 100% cranberry juice (not cocktail)
2 medium oranges, sliced into rounds
3–4 large cinnamon sticks
3–4 star anise pods
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
1 large knob fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into coins
½ cup brown sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
1–2 cups bourbon or dark rum (optional, for adults)

Instructions

Wash oranges and ginger thoroughly. Slice oranges into ¼-inch rounds, discarding seeds. Peel and slice ginger into coins.
Pour apple cider and cranberry juice into a 4-6 quart slow cooker insert.
Add sliced oranges, ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, allspice, and brown sugar (if using). Stir gently to dissolve sugar.
Place lid on slow cooker and set to LOW. Cook for 3-4 hours. Avoid HIGH heat to preserve delicate flavors.
After 3 hours, taste the cider. Adjust sweetness with more brown sugar or spice intensity as needed.
If using alcohol, stir in bourbon or rum now. Do not cook the alcohol further.
Ladle into mugs. Garnish with rosemary, cinnamon sticks, or orange wheels if desired.
Serve immediately while hot. Keep warm on WARM setting for up to 2 hours if hosting.

Notes

Do not use ground spices as they make the drink gritty and cloudy; use whole spices for clarity. Do not let the cider boil, as this drives off aromatic compounds. For a clearer drink, strain before serving. Can be made ahead by prepping fruit the night before.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3-4 hours
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mug
Calories: 120
Sugar: 24
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 1

Keywords: fall drink, mulled cider, slow cooker recipe, holiday beverage, cranberry apple cider, cozy drinks, non-alcoholic punch, boozy cider