Slow Cooker Herbal Spiced Apple Cider

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This slow cooker herbal apple cider is one of my favorite hot beverages to make each autumn. Infused with warming spices and soothing herbs, it’s gently tart, naturally sweet, and deeply comforting.

Whether you’re looking for a fresh twist on traditional apple cider or a festive, non-alcoholic drink to serve at gatherings like Thanksgiving, this slow cooker recipe fills your home with the scent of the season and brings people together in the coziest way.

Slow cooker herbal apple cider is one of my family’s favorite autumn traditions.

Mostly because my kids think they’re getting a sweet treat—but really, I’m just happy knowing they’re getting a boost of immune support from the cinnamon, anise seeds, and cloves in this homemade apple cider. Another reason I love making crockpot apple cider is how simple it is to put together. There’s nothing fancy or hard to find, just everyday spices from the grocery store. All of that makes for a cozy, convenient, and nourishing warm drink that everyone enjoys.

Why You Should Make Slow Cooker Herbal Apple Cider

Ultimately, one of my favorite ways to incorporate herbs into our diets is through crafting delicious beverages and teas. Keeping my favorite dried herbs on hand — like chamomile, lemon balm, and mint — makes crafting a delicious hot drink simple. Undeniably, my family also loves my love potion tea blend and herbal chai tea recipe. There’s something about crafting your own herbal drinks at home that feels so nourishing. Plus, offering a homemade beverage to guests is such a thoughtful gesture.

Although slow cooker recipes, like herbal apple cider, are simple to prepare, they do take a few hours to cook, allowing the infusion of herbs and spices to reach their full potential.

Regardless of how long this cozy fall drink needs to simmer, it’s worth the wait. When reheated, it tastes just as flavorful as when freshly made. The herbs infuse slowly, releasing their aromatic oils, and the apple cider absorbs the richness of the added ingredients, resulting in a very tasty homemade apple cider.

When I make this crockpot apple cider recipe, I like to serve it as an afternoon snack in the late fall or as part of a Thanksgiving gathering. It’s fun to pair it with one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions of jotting down what we are thankful for. Fortunately, I made a printable you can quickly download and print for your next gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Herbal Apple Cider

Simple & Easy:

The best part about making this herbal apple cider? It requires very simple ingredients, and it’s easy to substitute or omit ingredients based on what you already have on hand.

Hands-Off (Mostly):

Once all of the ingredients are prepped and placed into the crockpot, there’s very little that needs your attention until it’s time to serve.

Naturally Sweet and Customizable:

Additionally, you control the sweetness and spice — adjust with honey, maple syrup, or your favorite warming herbs to make it uniquely your own.

Perfect for Gatherings:

Whether you’re hosting friends for a fall gathering or getting the whole family together for Thanksgiving, this apple cider is the perfect warm drink to serve. Everyone loves it.

Seasonal Ritual Made Simple:

Moreover, who says holiday traditions need to be complicated? Making herbal cider in the slow cooker can become a seasonal ritual —a grounding way to celebrate autumn or winter with simple, whole ingredients.

Ingredients

Apple Cider:

I prefer to use unfiltered apple cider or apple juice for this recipe; however, regular apple juice works just as well.

Fresh Sliced Orange:

Use any type of orange you have on hand. Navel oranges are preferred; however, I have also included sliced mandarines, blood oranges, tangerines, and Valencia oranges with tasty results.

Fresh Sliced Lemon:

Although it may seem unnecessary to include lemons alongside oranges, their tartness adds a flavor note that elevates the taste and experience.

Whole Dried Cloves:

You may be thinking, Cloves are so strong! But don’t underestimate the power of including a significant amount of this herb, which adds an earthy, grounding taste.

Whole Cinnamon Sticks:

Generally, can you ever have enough cinnamon? Cinnamon sticks infuse the cider with a touch of sweetness and warm spice, creating that unmistakable, traditional cider taste.

Honey:

Although not strictly necessary, adding a touch of honey can round out the apple cider’s flavor.

Dried Chamomile:

Okay, you do not need to add chamomile flowers to your cider; however, I have found that infusing it with either chamomile or lemon balm sets it apart from other people’s cider recipes. You can either use whole dried chamomile flowers or chamomile tea bags for a similar effect.

Tools You’ll Need

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot:

I prefer simmering my ciders in traditional slow cookers rather than Instant Pots, but this is a personal choice. Either option will work great. I suggest purchasing an Instant Pot glass lid for easy serving, once the cider has infused and simmers.

Cutting Board

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you will want a quality cutting board for this recipe. Not only will it make your experience more pleasant, but it will also make your time cutting up the ingredients far more effective.

Sharp Cutting Knife

Maybe this is also a no-brainer, but having a quality cutting knife is important for ease of use and experience, too.

Measuring Cup

Have a set of metal, ceramic, or wooden measuring cups on hand for all kinds of recipes, like this one.

Measuring Spoons

Use high-quality metal, ceramic, or wooden measuring spoons.

Ladle

Select a ladle that is easy to handle and that pours effectively.

Spoon Rest

Hear me out, have a spoon rest on hand to lay that ladle down upon after use. This will minimize the need to clean up a sticky counter later. A small dish will also work.

Mesh Strainer

Although not 100% necessary, if you don’t bundle the spices into cheesecloth, ladle the apple cider through a mesh strainer to remove any stray herb and spice pieces and debris.

Your Favorite Mugs!

This part is easy, right? Serve your herbal apple cider piping hot in your favorite glass or ceramic mugs.

How to Make Slow Cooker Herbal Spiced Apple Cider

1. Add the apple cider or unfiltered apple juice to the crockpot.
2. Add the fresh ingredients. Add the oranges and fresh apples.
3. Add the spices: cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and chamomile flowers. Tie the spice ingredients into cheesecloth or a reusable tea bag for easy retrieval.
4. Slow-cook the cider for 4 hours on LOW. Keep warm, serve in mugs, and garnish with cinnamon sticks and sliced oranges and lemons.

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Serving Suggestions

Spiced Baked Goods

This herbal crockpot apple cider is a perfect addition to a variety of scones, cookies, or cakes.

Cheese and Charcuterie Boards

The herbal notes of the cider pair beautifully with sharp cheddar, Gouda, and herbed crackers.

Hearty Seasonal Dishes

Enjoy alongside roasted root vegetables, butternut squash soup, or savory hand pies for a comforting, well-rounded meal. As mentioned before, this recipe is a great addition to a Thanksgiving dinner gathering.

Variations

Herbs: A variety of herbs can be used in place of chamomile, including lemon balm, mint, and oatstraw.

No Citrus: Instead of including lemon and orange slices, omit them and either add more apple slices or omit fruit altogether.

Alcohol: Okay, if you’re having an all-adult party, it can be festive and fun to offer bourbon or whiskey on the side for adult guests to add a splash to their cups.

FAQs

Let’s Connect!

If you tried this recipe and loved it, I’d be delighted to hear from you—leave a comment or review below and share how it turned out!

Also, don’t forget to pin this post and follow A Farm to Keep on Pinterest to save your favorite herbal recipes, DIYs, and seasonal living inspiration.

Share your creations on Instagram and tag @a.farm.to.keep—I love seeing what you make and how you bring a touch of the handmade to your home!

Yield: 8 cups

Slow Cooked Herbal Apple Cider

Print

Infuse this herbal apple cider with warming spices and soothing herbs; it’s gently tart, naturally sweet, and deeply comforting. Whether you’re looking for a fresh twist on traditional apple cider or a festive, non-alcoholic drink to serve at gatherings like Thanksgiving, this slow cooker recipe fills your home with the scent of the season and brings people together in the coziest way.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 oz of unfiltered apple juice or apple cider
• 4-8 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon dried cloves
• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
• 1 orange slices
• 1 lemon sliced
• 1 apple sliced

Instructions

1. Add the apple cider or unfiltered apple juice to the crockpot.
2. Add the fresh ingredients. Add the oranges and fresh apples.
3. Add the spices: cinnamon sticks, cloves, and chamomile flowers. Tie the spice ingredients into cheesecloth or a reusable tea bag for easy retrieval.
4. Slow-cook the cider for 4 hours on LOW. Keep warm, serve in mugs, and garnish with cinnamon sticks, sliced oranges, and lemons.

Notes

Tips:

• While slow cooker herbal apple cider looks beautiful with herbs and spices floating on top, those loose bits can make it less enjoyable to drink. To keep your cider smooth and easy to sip, bundle the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and herbs in a small cheesecloth sachet or a coffee filter, or place them in a large tea ball before adding them to the slow cooker.
• The best part about making homemade herbal apple cider is that you can swap or add additional spices.
• Additionally, if you don't have or wish to use dried chamomile flowers, use chamomile tea bags instead. Include two tea bags per 16 oz of apple juice.

Variations:

Herbs: A variety of herbs can be used in place of chamomile, including lemon balm, mint, and oatstraw.

No Citrus: Instead of including lemon and orange slices, omit them and either add more apple slices or omit fruit altogether.

Alcohol: Okay, if you're having an all-adult party, it can be festive and fun to offer bourbon or whiskey on the side for adult guests to add a splash to their cups.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 64Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 0g