If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, crowd-pleasing drink that wraps your kitchen in warm holiday vibes, you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to every fall and winter because it’s ridiculously easy and smells like heaven as it simmers away. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to curl up with a mug on a chilly evening, this cider hits all the right notes with tangy cranberries, juicy apples, and a kick of warming spices.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Using store-bought apple and cranberry juices keeps it easy, while fresh orange and ginger brighten every sip.
Slow Cooker Magic: Letting the flavors meld low and slow guarantees a perfectly spiced cider without any babysitting.
Versatility for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday party or a quiet night in, this cider feels festive and comforting.
Easy to Make Ahead: Prepare it hours before guests arrive and just keep warm – no stress, just deliciousness.

Three white cups filled with brown liquid sit on a white marbled surface partially covered by a gray cloth. Each cup has one orange slice floating on top near the edge; one cup also has a cinnamon stick in the liquid. Around the cups, fresh red cranberries are scattered on the cloth and marble. A half orange is placed on the cloth showing its bright orange interior, and a few cloves lie on the marble near the right side. The overall scene has a cozy feel with warm colors and soft textures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are straightforward but work beautifully together to build layers of brightness and spice. Choosing unfiltered apple cider adds natural sweetness and body, while cranberry juice brings that tart pop to keep things interesting. Fresh spices and citrus keep it lively and fragrant, sure to fill your kitchen with the smell of the season.

Unfiltered Apple Juice or Cider: Go for unfiltered if you can – it has extra depth and feels more homemade.
Cranberry Juice Cocktail (100% Juice): Pure cranberry juice gives that distinct tartness without added sugars.
Orange: Fresh orange slices add zesty citrus notes and a lovely aroma.
Fresh Ginger: Adds a subtle spicy warmth that balances the sweetness.
Cloves: Using a tea strainer keeps these intense little flavor bombs contained for easy removal.
Cinnamon Sticks: Whole sticks release gentle cinnamon flavor that isn’t overpowering.
Fresh Cranberries (optional for garnish): These add a festive pop of color and tartness in your cup.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Over time, I’ve tweaked it depending on who I’m serving and what flavors I’m craving – and I encourage you to experiment too!

Stronger Spice Kick: If you like it spicier, I’ve added star anise or extra ginger for a bolder, more complex flavor.
Lower Sugar: Swap cranberry juice cocktail for pure unsweetened cranberry juice if you want a less sweet drink.
Alcohol Addition: For adult gatherings, stirring in a bit of bourbon or spiced rum right before serving adds warmth and fun.
Make it Vegan: This recipe is already vegan and naturally dairy-free, making it a super inclusive treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

First things first — grab your unfiltered apple cider and cranberry juice. I find using good quality juices here makes a huge difference because they’re the base. Next, slice your orange into rounds and peel the ginger with the edge of a spoon to remove the skin, then slice it too. Preparing the cloves in a tea strainer or tea baller is a game-changer since it keeps them contained and easy to remove later.

Step 2: Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker

Pour the apple cider and cranberry juice into your slow cooker. Add the orange slices, ginger rounds, cloves in the tea strainer, and cinnamon sticks. Give it a gentle stir to mix the flavors upfront, then pop the lid on.

Step 3: Slow Cook and Let the Magic Happen

Set your slow cooker to low and let it simmer for six hours, or if you’re short on time, go for high for three hours. The slow simmer melds the fruity and spicy flavors into one glorious drink. Once your party starts or when you’re ready to serve, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting to keep the cider perfectly heated without overcooking the spices. It’s a total hands-off recipe that’ll let you mingle without a fuss.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Ladle out the hot cider into mugs and garnish with half a slice of fresh orange and a few cranberries if you like. The citrus not only looks beautiful but gives an extra fresh burst of aroma as you sip.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

Use a Tea Ball for Cloves: This little trick makes removing cloves super easy and keeps anyone from biting into a whole clove by accident.
Start Early: I usually start the cider mid-morning so by party time, the flavors have married perfectly and the warmth is just right.
Don’t Skip the Fresh Ginger: It adds a little zing that keeps the cider from being overly sweet or flat.
Keep on Warm, Not Boiling: Boiling can turn the cider bitter, so keep it low and slow once it’s ready.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

A white cup filled with a warm brown liquid, showing two shiny red cherries floating on the left side and a bright yellow-orange slice of orange on the right side, the slice placed flat on the surface of the liquid; a woman's hand holding the cup handle from the left, all set against a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a slice of fresh orange and a few whole cranberries right in the mug — it looks festive and adds a fresh pop of flavor as you sip. Sometimes, I toss in a cinnamon stick per mug for a rustic stirrer and extra cinnamon aroma.

Side Dishes

This spiced cider pairs beautifully with everything from pumpkin bread and ginger snaps to savory cheese boards. For holiday gatherings, I like serving it alongside warm bacon-wrapped dates or spiced nuts — the sweet and spicy combo is out of this world.

Creative Ways to Present

If I’m hosting a party, I sometimes use a clear glass beverage dispenser with a spigot, filled with the hot cider and floating orange slices and cranberries — guests love ladling their own cups, and it looks stunning on the table. Adding festive mugs or mason jars wrapped with cinnamon sticks tied in twine makes everything feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cider in a glass pitcher or sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks so the spices don’t get too intense overnight. When stored properly, the flavors remain deliciously balanced.

Freezing

Freezing this cider works fine if you want to save some for later. Just cool it completely, pour into freezer-safe containers leaving some room for expansion, and thaw in the fridge when ready. I’ve found subtle changes in texture, but the flavor stays vibrant.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stove or in the slow cooker on the warm setting so it doesn’t boil. Adding a fresh cinnamon stick or a squeeze of fresh orange juice when reheating brightens it right back up.

FAQs

Can I make the Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe without a slow cooker?

Absolutely! You can make this recipe on the stovetop by simmering all the ingredients in a large pot for about 30-45 minutes on low heat. Just watch carefully so it doesn’t boil, and stir occasionally to make sure those spices don’t scorch.
How long can I keep the cider warm in the slow cooker?

Once your cider is done cooking, keep it on the warm setting for up to 4 hours without sacrificing flavor. Any longer, and the spices might turn bitter, so I recommend serving within that timeframe or reheating fresh batches as needed.
Can kids drink this cider?

Yes! This recipe is kid-friendly since it omits alcohol but still has plenty of festive flavor from the fruit juices and spices. Just be sure to remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks before serving to younger ones to avoid choking hazards.
What can I use instead of whole cloves if I don’t have any?

If you don’t have whole cloves, you can use a pinch of ground cloves, but add them sparingly as ground spices are more potent. Alternatively, you can skip cloves altogether and compensate by adding a bit more cinnamon or ginger for warmth.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, the Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your juices to ensure they don’t contain any additives or cross-contamination if you need to be careful.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe has become my go-to for bringing instant coziness and good vibes to any gathering. I always look forward to the way the house fills with warmth and spice, and how much everyone enjoys it – it’s a total crowd-pleaser. I hope you’ll try it soon and make it your own cozy tradition too. Trust me, once you experience that first fragrant sip, you’ll wonder how you ever got through fall and winter without it!

Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: Madison
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Beverage
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider is a warm, festive beverage perfect for gatherings and chilly days. Combining unfiltered apple cider, cranberry juice, fresh orange, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, this spiced cider simmers slowly to develop a rich, cozy flavor. Serve with fresh cranberries and orange slices for an inviting touch.

Ingredients

Base Liquids

2 quarts unfiltered apple juice or cider
1 quart cranberry juice cocktail (100% juice)

Spices and Fruit

1 small orange
3 inches fresh ginger
1 Tbsp cloves
1.25 oz bottle cinnamon sticks (5-6 small sticks)

Garnishes (optional)

1 small orange
1 cup fresh cranberries

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Juices: Combine the apple juice and cranberry juice cocktail in a 4-6 quart slow cooker, ensuring the base liquids are well mixed.
Prepare Flavorings: Slice the orange into rounds and peel then slice the ginger into rounds as well. Place the cloves inside a tea baller or tea strainer for easy removal later.
Add to Slow Cooker: Add the orange slices, ginger slices, cloves (in the tea strainer), and cinnamon sticks into the slow cooker with the juice mixture.
Cook the Cider: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours until the flavors meld together beautifully.
Keep Warm: Once ready and during serving, switch the slow cooker setting to warm to keep the cider hot without overcooking it.
Serve: Ladle the hot cider into mugs and garnish each serving with a half slice of orange and a few fresh cranberries if desired.

Notes

If you do not have a tea baller or tea strainer, you can add the cloves directly into the cider. They will eventually sink to the bottom and are less likely to be served accidentally.
Using unfiltered apple cider gives a richer and more natural flavor to the cider compared to clear juices.
The spice infusion time can be adjusted depending on your taste preference; longer cooking on low releases deeper flavors.
Fresh ginger provides a mild spice and warmth; adjust quantity to taste for more or less heat.
Keep the cider warm rather than boiling after cooking to avoid bitterness from the spices.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 110 kcal
Sugar: 22 g
Sodium: 15 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg