This easy hot apple cider recipe can be made on the stove or in a Crock Pot or slow cooker.  It's easy to make and perfect for a crowd.

Everyone is eagerly awaiting the return of the pumpkin spice latte, but I'm over here wondering if it's too early to have an easy hot apple cider.

I love me a good PSL just as much as the next basic girl, but I prefer a spiced apple cider drink.  We have a lot of bonfires on cool autumn evenings, and there's just something about sitting around the fire in a hoodie sipping on a warm cider drink.


This recipe is easy to scale up, so you can make it for a crowd or just for yourself.  Store leftovers in the fridge to enjoy for a few days.

I love using my slow cooker, so I use that if I'm making this for a crowd.  You can also use the stove if you're in a hurry.

The nice thing about the slow cooker is that you can this hours before you want it.  If you're in party prep mode, that's a big time saver as it gets close to party time.

Easy Hot Apple Cider Recipe in the Crock Pot or Stove

Apple Juice or Apple Cider?

You can make this easy hot apple cider recipe with either apple juice or apple cider.  It's personal preference.

Apple juice and apple cider are basically the same thing.  The difference is that the juice has been filtered to remove pulp and other coarse particles.  Cider is therefore thicker, and I think it has a richer flavor.


Personally, I like it best with apple cider.  Apple juice is rather thin, and the cider has a more complex flavor.

I've even mixed them and used half of each because I wanted to make more than I had enough cider for.  That tasted really good, too.

Slow Cooker or Stove?

I've made this easy hot apple cider recipe both ways, and I prefer the slow cooker.  The stove is quicker, but the slow cooker brings out more of the flavor in the spices.

If you do use the stove, I recommend letting it simmer for at least 15 minutes for the best flavor.

You can also use the stove top to start this and then transfer it to the slow cooker to keep it warm.

If you're looking for a grown up drink using a slow cooker, try my simple mulled wine recipe in the slow cooker.

Try my easy slow cooker hot chocolate recipe.

Sweetener

I don't add any sweetener to my easy hot apple cider recipe.  I find the apple juice and cider plenty sweet.

If you would like yours sweeter, add some brown sugar or maple syrup to taste.

Garnishes

If it's just my family or a bonfire night, I just strain out the spice and serve.  If you want to get fancy, garnish with some cinnamon sticks or orange slices.

Ingredients

• 8 cups apple juice or apple cider
• 2 cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 orange cut into thin slices or 1 tablespoon orange zest
• Star anise (optional)
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)