It’s fall, and that means it’s cider season. As the leaves change and the air gets crisper, I always turn to my lovely jug of apple cider.

But, recently I wondered how I could make it on my own from scratch, and, of course I made my own revisions to the recipe. Prepare this on Thanksgiving or in your dorm for Friendsgiving.

Spiced

  • Prep Time:15 minutes
  • Cook Time:4 hours
  • Total Time:4 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings:6-8
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 8 apples
  • 1 orange
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice (optional)
  • 12-16 cup water
  • 1/3-2/3 cup brown sugar
  • Step 1

    Wash apples and oranges and cut apples into eighths. Place in the bowl of your slow cooker.

    Photo by Susanna Mostaghim
  • Step 2

    Stick the cloves in the orange and add it into the bowl.

  • Step 3

    Add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and allspice.

  • Step 4

    Cover with water, filling the slow cooker until it is nearly full. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours, or on low heat for 6-8 hours.

  • Step 5

    About an hour before the cider is done cooking, use a potato masher to mash the apple slices once they are soft. Finish cooking for one more hour.

  • Step 6

    Strain out the apple cider juice into a clean pitcher or pot. Stir in your desired amount of sweetener until it is dissolved. Serve hot.