Mom’s Mulled Cider for the Crock Pot
π Prep Time: 15 minutes
π Cook Time: 2 hours
π Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
π½ Servings: Varies
Description:
Mom’s Mulled Cider for the Crock Pot is a cherished family recipe that fills your home with the comforting aroma of spices during the fall and winter months. This version of mulled cider is infused with a delightful citrusy tang from oranges and lemons, making it perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights by the fire. While it’s best made with high-quality cider, you can still achieve delicious results using store-bought varieties. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just looking for a comforting weeknight drink, this mulled cider is sure to delight your taste buds in less than 4 hours.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 oranges
- 1-2 red apples
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- Cider
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions:
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Set a medium or large crock pot to HIGH heat.
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Fill the crock pot with cider, leaving room for the apple and orange to float around. You may have extra cider at this point, which can be used for replenishing later.
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Wash the orange and apple, then dry them off.
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Poke cloves into the flesh of the orange and apple, as many as you like.
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Set the cloves-studded fruit into the crock pot.
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Add cinnamon sticks and some brown sugar to taste.
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Using a vegetable peeler, cut off two long strips of lemon rind from one of the lemons, being careful not to get any of the white pith. Drop these into the cider pot and save the rest of the partially zested lemon for another use.
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Slice the remaining lemon into thin slices and drop 4-5 slices into the cider pot. Save the remaining slices for later or another use (they make a lovely garnish).
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Cover the crock pot and let the mixture come to almost a boil. This may take up to an hour, depending on the size of your crock pot.
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Once it’s almost boiling, sprinkle with a very light dash of each ground spice to taste. Be careful not to add too much, as it may become gritty.
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Turn the heat down to LOW and allow the cider to cook for at least another hour before serving.
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Leave the crock pot on LOW and allow guests to ladle out mugfuls. Keep replenishing more cider as the crockpot empties.
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You won’t need to add more spices as long as you still have 1/4 of the original mulled cider left in the crock. Simply pour in the new cider and continue to heat on LOW.
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The last dregs of cider will be very heavily spiced. You can choose to discard the remaining 1/4 of liquid after replenishing the cider for the day.
Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of Mom’s Mulled Cider for the Crock Pot with your loved ones this holiday season!
