Fresh cranberry apple cider is a must have for your holidays this year. This cider recipe is full of holiday cheer and so stinkin’ easy to make. All you need to do is toss everything into the Crock Pot and call it a day.
But what’s even better than the flavors and ease of it? It’s the way it fills your house with the sweet and spicy smells of Christmas. What could honestly be better than that?
Plus, if you’re kitchen space gets as limited as mine does on Christmas, this is such an easy way to squeeze in one more tasty recipe to impress all the guests.
(Don’t worry, if your critical Aunt Karen isn’t impressed, you can spike your cup with some rum…then you won’t even give a f*ck if she’s impressed or not).
It’s a never disappointing, super simple Christmas drink recipe that makes the day just that much easier. Serve it at your family dinner or save for yourself and your SO after everyone leaves to celebrate a successful Christmas day.
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Apple Cider Recipe Tools
Tool #1
As we stated before, this apple cider recipe is super easy. But as with anything I want you to be prepared for success with the proper tools.
SO!! Make sure you have a large Crock Pot. This is the Crock Pot I use and honestly, it’s great. Not too pricy, big, and has been with me for 10ish years now. I mean, the outside is a little beat up by now but who cares when it makes such tasty things?!
Tool #2
You’re also going to need an immersion blender.
You can skip this and use a regular blender, but you’ll hate yourself for that. Pouring super hot cider into a blender? No thanks.
Trust me, your life will be easier with it. (Plus, it’s helpful for all kinds of holiday recipes like mash potatoes, blending sauces, and making apple butter) So skip the headache. Get an immersion blender.
Tool #3
I also recommend an apple slicer like this one. It makes prep time even faster, PLUS unlike most apple slicers, this one is rather flat so it actually fits in your drawers.
Tool #4
It’s hard to strain this apple cider without a good strainer. I prefer using a fine mesh strainer as opposed to a regular colander or something similar for a smoother drink.
(Again, don’t overblend your cider or else it’s going to take forever to strain)!
Get this 3 piece set that’s great for everything from straining fresh apple cider to sprinkling powdered sugar over tasty brownies.
Tool #5
A glass pitcher. Odds are you might have leftover cider. And of course, being the sustainable, ballin on a budget, smart millennial you are, you’re going to want to save the excess for later.
This glass pitcher is fantastic because it has another mesh strainer built into the lid and works great with hot or cold liquids.
I use it constantly for this cider, making iced tea, serving some refreshing lemon water, etc.
Now that we’ve got those handy dandy tools, the rest is all pretty straight forward.
Edit!:
I actually have received several messages from readers asking where I got the cups I used in the photos. Truth is I got them from the thrift store, but you can grab some similar ones here!
Tips for this Perfect Apple Cider Recipe
Why are we blending it?
Giving the cider a quick blend with your immersion blender helps really incorporate the flavors of the fruit and releases the colors better.
The result is a sweet and pretty naturally red apple cider that’s as festive as it is gorgeous.
So by blending it and cooking it for the additional hour you get a sweet, tangy cup of goodness rather than a sweet cup of “meh”.
HOWEVER! You don’t want to blend it toooooo much. If you do, you’ll end up with almost a thick pulp that’s super hard to strain.
Blend for about 30 seconds and call it a day.
Tip #2
Don’t peel your apples (so please be sure to wash them thoroughly first). Red apples actually add quite a bit of color to the cider and even some nutrients.
Tip #3
To keep the aesthetic look of the cider and fill your pitcher up with extra apples, orange slices, or cinnamon sticks without worrying about it all plopping into your glass.
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Other Related Recipes
Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Crock Pot Applesauce
Easy Apple Pie Filling
Slow Cooker Christmas Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh cranberries (350g)
- 8 medium red apples (gala, fuji or similar)
- 1 medium orange
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 10 cups water
- ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Peel and core you apples and cut your orange into quarters. Add all the ingredients to your Crock Pot
- Cook for 5 hours on Low stirring occasionally.
- Blend your mixture up with your immersion blender (be careful not to splash everywhere – it's hot). Don't blend all of it. Just enough to release some more flavor from the fruit. About 30 seconds should do.
- Continue to cook on Low for another hour. Strain out the chunks with a fine mesh strainer.
- Serve hot or cold. Garish with some fresh orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or more cranberries.
Notes
Nutrition
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Final Notes…
In case you aren’t quite sold on this easy apple cider recipe yet….
If you want your family get together to be easy, simple, and less pressure…make this cider. It never disappoints and makes your apartment smell like Pottery Barn with Ikea furniture, meaning it definitely smells fancier than it is.
Holidays should be easy, fun and delicious. And that’s what this cider is. It’s literally everything Christmas should be!
So make it, take a picture, enjoy it, and then tag me in all your awesome cider photos on Instagram (@thefulfillmentpill) for a special shout out there!
And of course, check out all of our other Christmas recipes as well to keep that sweet tooth satisfied and to help you bake all the Christmas treats your heart desires!
Sharing is caring! Do you know someone who would would love this Crock Pot Apple Cider Recipe? Share this recipe with them!
