Let's get into a mug of my all-time favorite fall and thanksgiving drinks: an inviting glass of hot cider spiced with the flavors of fall, sweet brown sugar, and real pumpkin puree. This easy crockpot pumpkin apple cider is fantastic to make ahead of any fall or holiday party and will make your house smell delicious all day.
My Fave Seasonal Cider: Crock Pot Pumpkin Apple Cider
It was meant to be, all the stars aligned: sweater weather took control of the heat, the pumpkin festival a few towns over has started, our local town started giving out free ciders at the weekend farmers' market, the season of campfires in the backyard, and Greyson just finished the second Harry Potter book, begging for friday's family movie to be the Chamber of Secrets.
In other words, it is finally officially The Greatest Time of Year.
Tis time for seasonal cider, campfires, and everything pumpkin flavor. So a mulled pumpkin apple cider recipe? An absolute given. Sure there's always the homemade pumpkin spice lattes, but we need something different! Something with warm spices and sweet apple cider.
She's a delicious mulled fall cider that tastes exactly like a perfect day at the pumpkin patch. She's giving spiced, giving warmth, and she's perfect to leave simmering away while you are at the pumpkin patch.
When you walk back in, you not only have your house smell like fall, but also a fabulous fall drink waiting for you!
I also have instructions to make it ahead of time (perfect for fall parties and thanksgiving!) and how to spike it for an adult pumpkin cider that is insanely good.
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What is mulled cider?
To 'mull' means to flavor a drink by warming it up and adding spices. Cider typically is mulled with spices and slices of fresh fruit, and served hot.
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Apple Cider - This will usually be in the refrigerated section of the produce area in your local grocery store in the fall time! Try to get some without added sugar, and buy local if you can to support local farmers!
- Pumpkin purée - The amount of pumpkin can be entirely up to you. Go for a hint of pumpkin or indulge in a real pumpkin spiced cup of autumn.
- Cinnamon Sticks, Allspice Berries, Whole Cloves, Star Anise - the great thing about mulling spices is that you most likely already have them in your pantry for all your fall baking!
- Orange Slices, Apple Slices, Pears - this not only flavors your cider further, but it makes for a gorgeous look. Slices of navel oranges, blood oranges, cored apples, pears, they're all welcome.
- Brown Sugar - this is my sweetener of choice, but you can also use maple syrup or your favorite substitute.
Let's Make Pumpkin Cider!
Step 1 | Pour all of your apple cider into your slow cooker, whisk in the pumpkin puree and spices, and put all the fresh fruit slices on top. Let cook on low for 4 hours, then strain through a cheesecloth lined colander or mesh strainer to remove the spices and pumpkin puree.
Step 2 | Pour your delicious cider into a mug and garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. You can enjoy it warm or chilled!
Variations
- Hard Cider - add a splash of bourbon, brandy, or rum while the pumpkin cider mulls in the slow cooker.
- Make Ahead - Make the pumpkin cider 2-3 days in advance, keep in a pitcher with a lid or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge. Rewarm it in the slow cooker the day of your event.
- Make on the Stovetop - simmer the cider ingredients in a large pot, covered with a lid, over medium low heat for 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat if it begins to bubble too much. Do not leave this unattended.
- Top with whipped cream! It'll melt into the cider, making it creamy and rich.
Storage Instructions
Keep your cider in an airtight container, like a pitcher with a lid, for up to 5 days.
Equipment I Used
Slow Cooker - you can use an Instant Pot that has a slow cooker setting if you don't have just a slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular cider is served cold with nothing added, no sugar and no spices. Mulled cider is made with spices and often sweetened, served warm.
If you decide to add alcohol to your cider, the majority (talking around 85%) of the alcohol will stay in the drink. Your boozy cider will stay boozy.
Apple juice can work, but it is sweeter so use less sugar.
More Fall Season Drink Recipes
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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cider
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 6 cups apple cider, unsweetened
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup pumpkin puree, not pumpkin filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1 honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced
- 1 navel orange, sliced
Instructions
- Stir the apple cider, water, brown sugar, and pumpkin puree together in your slow cooker.6 cups apple cider, ½ cup water, 1 cup pumpkin puree, ½ cup brown sugar
- Add in the spices and fruit.1 inch fresh ginger, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1 teaspoon allspice berries, 1 honeycrisp apple, 1 navel orange
- Let the cider mull in the slow cooker for 4 hours.
- Strain through a cheesecloth lined colander or mesh strainer to remove the solids.
- Serve warm garnished with fruit and cinnamon sticks, if desired
Recipe Notes
Variations
- Hard Cider - add a splash of bourbon, brandy, or rum while the pumpkin cider mulls in the slow cooker.
- Make Ahead - Make the pumpkin cider 2-3 days in advance, keep in a pitcher with a lid or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge. Rewarm it in the slow cooker the day of your event.
- Make on the Stovetop - simmer the cider ingredients in a large pot, covered with a lid, over medium low heat for 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat if it begins to bubble too much. Do not leave this unattended on the stovetop.
- Top with whipped cream! It'll melt into the cider, making it creamy and rich.
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