Feed Your Body Friday: Simple Slow Cooker Apple Cider
Is there anything tastier and more traditional this time of year than a hot apple cider? Apple cider is one of my most favourite drinks to make as the weather turns cooler. Today, I want to share with you the simple recipe I like to use to make my apple cider - in the slow cooker!
For the cider, it’s important to choose the right apples. It’s better to mix many varieties together so that the apple flavour is more pronounced. I’ve had the most success using a mixture of both sweet and tart apples. For the sweet apples, you can choose Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala. For the tart, Granny Smith apples are a perfect choice. If you can, try to buy organic or at least untreated apples because otherwise you risk making a broth of pesticides! If you can’t find organic, consider peeling the apple skin before you start.
You will see homemade apple cider is actually really simple to make, and it’s even easier when you use a slow cooker. Set it and just forget about it! Eight hours later, you will end up with a delicious and healthy warm drink, the perfect ending to an afternoon spent outside with the family.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Servings: 5-6
Ingredients:
- 1 orange
- 10 medium-sized apples
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tsp. cloves
- 3 tbsp.sugar
- Some water
Preparation:
- Peel your orange and put the quarters in your slow cooker.
- Wash your apples (peel skin if necessary), cut into quarters and put in the slow cooker.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, the cloves, and the sugar.
- Add enough water to cover the fruits.
- Cook for 6 to 7 hours on LOW.
- After 7 hours, the fruits will be soft. Use a large spoon and crush the apples to release the rest of their juice.
- Cook on LOW 1 hour longer.
- Pour your cider through a colander for the purpose of removing any large pieces. Pour into a big pitcher.
- Serve hot and heat before drinking!
I find this recipe keeps well in the fridge for about a week.
This sweet slow cooker recipe will make your home smell like Christmas all day! This recipe is a non-alcoholic cider, but if you want you can always add a little whiskey in there for an extra Christmas kick. And as always, feel free to experiment with the spices and garnishes - and be sure to let us know what you create!
