Bourbon Apple Cider is an easy, warming spiked cider recipe, thoughtfully prepared in a slow cooker. This delightful beverage is perfect for enhancing holiday gatherings, adding a cozy touch to crisp fall evenings, or simply enjoying as a comforting treat any time of year.
Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Cider: Your Ultimate Holiday & Fall Beverage
When the festive season rolls around, or as autumn leaves begin to fall, the last thing anyone wants is to be chained to the bar, mixing drinks while guests are enjoying themselves. This is precisely why I adore serving beverages that practically make themselves, allowing you to relax and mingle. Our Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Cider recipe is a prime example of effortless entertaining. Simply combine all your ingredients in the slow cooker, and within a few hours, you’ll have a wonderfully fragrant and flavorful drink ready to serve. It’s truly that simple and stress-free.
Imagine the delightful aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and fresh apples mingling with rich bourbon, slowly wafting through your home. This isn’t just a drink; it’s an experience, setting the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday party or simply unwinding after a long week, this hot cider recipe ensures you can be part of the fun, not just facilitating it. There’s no need to constantly monitor or fuss over it. You can confidently prepare other holiday dishes, catch up with friends and family, and let everyone serve themselves this delectable concoction as they please. It’s an invaluable addition to any stress-free entertaining arsenal.
The Magic of Slow Cooker Spiked Cider
The slow cooker isn’t just for savory dishes; it’s a game-changer for beverages, especially warm, spiced drinks like this bourbon apple cider. Its gentle, consistent heat allows the flavors of the apples, clementines, and spices to meld beautifully over several hours, creating a depth of taste that simply can’t be rushed. This method also means your cider stays perfectly warm throughout your event, eliminating the need for constant reheating or a microwave. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it solution that delivers exceptional results every time.
Awesome Holiday & Fall Drink Inspiration
- Instant Pot Apple Cider
- Holiday Party Punch
- Thanksgiving Punch
- Rum Punch
- Crockpot Cranberry Cider
- Holiday Punch Recipe
- Three Wise Men Shots
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Apple Cider
Can I easily double this recipe for a bigger crowd?
Absolutely! The feasibility of doubling this recipe largely depends on the capacity of your slow cooker. If you possess a larger model, you should have no problem fitting twice the ingredients. For exceptionally large gatherings, consider using two slow cookers side-by-side. This ensures a continuous supply of warm, delicious bourbon apple cider for all your guests.
What’s the best way to store any leftover hot apple cider?
Storing leftover bourbon apple cider is incredibly simple. Once the cider has cooled to room temperature, transfer any remaining liquid into a large pitcher or airtight container. It can then be refrigerated for up to 4 days, ensuring you can enjoy its comforting flavors for a few days post-party. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stovetop or return it to the slow cooker on a low setting.
Selecting Your Ingredients for the Perfect Crockpot Spiked Apple Cider
Should I opt for light or dark brown sugar?
In most of my recipes, I typically use light brown sugar, especially since I often make my own. However, for this delicious slow cooker bourbon apple cider, both light and dark brown sugar will work beautifully. Dark brown sugar will lend a slightly deeper, more robust molasses flavor, while light brown sugar will provide a milder sweetness. Choose based on your preference for sweetness and depth of flavor. If you’re interested in making your own brown sugar, you can find a fantastic recipe on my Homemade Brown Sugar post here.
Can I use a sugar substitute instead?
While I haven’t personally experimented with sugar substitutes in this particular recipe, I understand the desire for alternative options. If you choose to try one, I recommend selecting a product that offers a 1:1 sugar swap to maintain the intended sweetness and balance of flavors. Please do let me know how it turns out if you give it a try!
What type of bourbon works best for spiked apple cider?
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. For a classic, balanced flavor, a medium-bodied bourbon like Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, or even a good quality private label bourbon works wonderfully. If you prefer a bolder, spicier kick, opt for a high-rye bourbon. For a smoother, sweeter profile, a wheated bourbon can be a delightful choice. Don’t feel pressured to use your most expensive bourbon; a good mixing bourbon will shine here.
Crafting Your Crockpot Spiked Apple Cider
HOW DO YOU MAKE Bourbon Apple Cider?
- Begin by pouring the unfiltered apple juice into your slow cooker.
- Next, add the thinly sliced clementines, apples, whole cloves or star anise, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Cover the slow cooker and cook on a low setting for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to slowly infuse.
- Once cooked, carefully stir in your chosen bourbon or rum.
- Allow the mixture to stand for an additional 5-10 minutes. This crucial step ensures the alcohol is well incorporated and its flavors have a chance to meld harmoniously with the spiced cider.
- For a truly festive presentation, garnish each serving with extra cinnamon sticks, cloves, apple slices, and/or clementine wedges. Serve warm and enjoy!
Can I use regular navel oranges instead of clementines?
Absolutely! Regular navel oranges are a perfectly acceptable substitute for clementines in this recipe. While clementines offer a slightly sweeter, less acidic citrus note, navel oranges will provide a classic, bright orange flavor that complements the apple and spices beautifully. Simply slice them thinly as you would the clementines.
Essential Ingredients for Your Spiked Apple Cider
To make this delightful Bourbon Apple Cider, you will need:
- Unfiltered apple juice: The unfiltered variety provides a richer, cloudier base with more authentic apple flavor.
- Clementine oranges, thinly sliced: Adds a bright, sweet citrus note.
- Apples, thinly sliced: Enhances the apple flavor and offers a lovely garnish.
- Cinnamon sticks, approximately 3 inches long: Essential for that warm, inviting spice.
- Whole cloves or whole star anise: Provides an aromatic, slightly exotic spice profile.
- Packed brown sugar: Adds depth and a touch of caramel-like sweetness.
- Bourbon: The star of the show, delivering warmth and complex notes.
Can this recipe be prepared without bourbon for a non-alcoholic version?
Yes, absolutely! This recipe works perfectly as a non-alcoholic spiced hot apple cider. You have a couple of options: you can either use a high-quality bourbon extract to still impart some of that deep, distinct bourbon flavor without the alcohol, or simply omit the bourbon entirely. The cider will still be incredibly flavorful and aromatic thanks to the apples, citrus, and spices, making it a wonderful family-friendly beverage suitable for all ages.
Tips for the Perfect Spiked Cider Experience
My Favorite Tools for Making Bourbon Apple Cider
This hot apple cider recipe is incredibly straightforward and utterly delicious. If you’re anything like me during this time of year, you might already have most of these items on hand. Perhaps you’ve never made a beverage in a slow cooker before and feel a bit apprehensive – but trust me, you are going to love the ease and incredible results! I’ve compiled a list below of the essential tools I rely on when whipping up this fantastic drink.
- Slow Cooker: An absolute must for hands-off brewing and keeping the cider warm.
Serving Your Spiked Hot Cider
If you adore this Easy Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Cider recipe, you’re sure to fall in love with these other delightful drinks too. Simply click each link below to discover the easy, printable recipes!
Crock Pot Cranberry Cider
Crock Pot Cranberry Cider: a delicious spiced cider made in the slow cooker. Perfect as a Thanksgiving drink, it can be served non-alcoholic or with a splash of rum!
Check out this recipe
Spiced Old Fashioned
Spiced Old Fashioned gives a seasonal holiday twist to this classic cocktail with a homemade cinnamon thyme syrup. Perfect for celebrating.
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New York Cheesecake Rum Float
New York Cheesecake Rum Float is loaded with cream soda, crushed cookies & sprinkles! It’s a delicious ice cream float recipe that is sure to cool you down.
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Classic Homemade Eggnog
Classic Homemade Eggnog is the perfect drink for all your holiday entertaining and when cozying up by the fire (with or without alcohol).
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Cranberry Orange Mimosa
Cranberry Orange Mimosa, a twist on the classic celebration drink that adds the holiday flavor of cranberry to the orange & champagne mix.
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Cinnamon Spiced Moscow Mule
Cinnamon Spiced Moscow Mule gives a holiday twist to the classic Russian Mule cocktail. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s celebrations.
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Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Moonshine
Looking for a special homemade gift for friends & neighbors? Make this super easy Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Moonshine that’s perfect for holiday sipping.
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Holiday Party Punch
Holiday Party Punch is a delicious holiday party drink packed with cranberry, pineapple & lemon. Keep it “kid-friendly” or spike with rum or vodka for adult parties.
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Bourbon Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 2 quarts unfiltered apple juice
- 2 clementine oranges thinly sliced
- 2 apples thinly sliced
- 3 – 5 cinnamon sticks approximately each 3 inches long
- ½ tablespoon whole cloves or whole star anise
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1⅓ cup bourbon
Instructions
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Pour the apple juice into the slow cooker.
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Add clementines, apples cloves or star anise, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
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Stir in bourbon or rum.
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Let stand 5-10 minutes to let flavors mix.
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Garnish with cinnamon sticks, cloves, apples, and/or clementines if desired and serve warm.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.