This mulled cider recipe is the perfect addition to any Fall meal! It’s easy to make in the slow cooker and make the house smell amazing!!
Mulled Apple Cider screams Fall and coziness!
I am so excited to share this mulled cider recipe with you all! This mulled apple cider screams Fall, holidays, warmth, and coziness to me. I love that it’s made in the slow cooker because 1) it’s easy and 2) it makes your house smell amazing!!
This mulled cider is so easy it will literally take you 5 minutes to throw together. The only thing you need to make sure you have ahead of time are the mulled cider spices. Remember, you can totally customize these to your tastes!
What is Mulled Cider?
Mulled cider is a classic symbol of winter and the holiday season – but what exactly is it? Well, it’s a delicious and cozy drink, perfect for the colder months! Mulled cider is made by heating apple cider or juice with spices like allspice and ginger.
Mulled cider is typically a non-alcoholic drink, but you can add your spirit of choice to give it an extra kick.
What is Mulled Cider made of?
- Cinnamon – whole sticks
- Cloves – whole cloves
- Allspice – whole or ground
- Orange – sliced thin
- Rosemary – fresh sprigs
- Ginger – fresh or ground
- Apple Juice
Best spices to use for this Easy Mulled Cider Recipe
Whole spices are best for mulled apple cider, just because you want to be able to strain as much of them out of the cider before serving so the drink is nice and smooth. Using a couple of the spices ground is fine, just make sure you use as many whole spices as possible so it’s not too gritty.
Best Apple Cider to use for Crock Pot Mulled Cider
Another little trick to really send the mulled apple cider over the top is to purchase apple juice that has words like “fresh” or “fresh pressed” and “100% juice” on the title and is cloudy and light, not clear and dark. The flavor of these apple juices are a little more pungent and hold up to the cooking time and spices better than a traditional apple juice.
Since we are adding our own spices to this mulled cider recipe, I don’t think purchasing apple cider is necessary – a good, hearty apple juice will add all the flavor we need.
How to make Mulled Cider in the Crock Pot
Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker.
Cook on low for at least 2 hours, but no more than 6.
Strain the cider to remove any whole spices.
Pour into mugs and garnish with extra rosemary sprigs, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.
How to serve this Mulled Apple Cider Recipe
For serving, I like to hold back a cinnamon stick, orange slice, and short sprig of rosemary to place on top of each cup. That just lets your guests know what flavors to expect and gives the mulled cider a little fresh pick-me-up after slow cooking.
My favorite time of day to make this is in the morning before a party or holiday. The smell sets a festive tone for the day and is a great way to kick off a meal and warm up your guests while you get everything else on the table.
What to serve with Mulled Cider?
Mulled cider is the perfect drink to serve alongside your favorite holiday treats! It pairs well with sweet and savory dishes, making it a versatile addition to any winter gathering.
Some great options to pair with mulled cider are:
- Gingerbread crinkle cookies
- Warm apple pie or crumble
- Cheese and charcuterie board
- Crockpot cinnamon roll casserole
- Roasted or spiced nuts
- Hearty soups or casseroles, like chicken pasta casserole or broccoli cheddar soup
- Roasted pork or chicken dishes
Storing leftover Mulled Apple Cider
If you happen to have any leftover mulled cider, don’t worry! You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat on the stove or microwave – or enjoy it cold. Always remove any whole spices before storing and serving.
You can also freeze mulled cider for up to 3 months. Just be sure to leave some room at the top of your container, as liquids expand when frozen. Thaw in the fridge before reheating and serving.
How long will Mulled Cider keep?
Mulled cider will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. It’s best to consume it within this time frame for optimal taste and freshness.
Mulled Apple Cider Recipe FAQs
My mulled cider recipe is non-alcoholic, as it is made with apple juice. However, if you’d like to make an adult version, you can add a splash of your favorite liquor.
A nice rum or bourbon would pair well with mulled cider! Or, try adding a splash of brandy for an extra kick. Always add your alcohol after simmering your spices and juice together; otherwise, the alcohol will cook off
Apple cider, not to be confused with the alcoholic hard cider, is unfiltered and contains pulp from the apples. Apple juice is filtered and does not contain any pulp. Apple cider is also known as ‘cloudy apple juice’ in some parts of the world due to its cloudy appearance.
For my mulled cider recipe, you want to use apple cider or fresh-pressed, unfiltered apple juice (which is essentially the same thing!)
Yes, you can easily make this mulled cider recipe on the stove. Simply combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and gently heat the apple juice to mull it. Then, add in your spices and let them simmer for 30 minutes to infuse the flavors. Strain out the spices and serve hot!
Easy Mulled Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 quarts apple juice fresh pressed, 100% juice. It should be light and cloudy, not dark and clear.
- 1 orange sliced + extra for serving
- 4 cinnamon sticks + extra for serving
- 1 teaspoon cloves whole
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice whole, use 1/4 teaspoon if using ground
- 1 sprig rosemary fresh + extra for serving
- 2 slices ginger fresh, optional, see note
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for at least 2 hours, up to 6.
- Strain or remove all large spices before serving.
- Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.
Alli says
Such a great drink for the holidays!