Description

A cozy, low-effort fall drink that combines fresh apple cider with warm spices and rich salted caramel sauce. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to make in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

1 gallon (3.8 liters) fresh-pressed apple cider
1 cup (240ml) apple juice
2 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), cored and sliced
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large cinnamon sticks (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)
4–5 whole cloves
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
6–8 allspice berries
1 cup (240ml) salted caramel sauce
½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (for garnish or seasoning)

Instructions

Wash apples thoroughly, remove cores, and slice into thin wedges (about ¼-inch thick).
Pour the apple cider and apple juice into a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the sliced apples to the slow cooker.
Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, allspice berries, and vanilla extract. Stir gently to distribute spices.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours, until the cider is hot and fragrant.
Turn the slow cooker to WARM. Stir in the salted caramel sauce until fully dissolved and incorporated.
Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness if desired.
Ladle into mugs, garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.

Notes

Do not boil the cider as it can become bitter. Keep the slow cooker on HIGH or WARM. Fresh-pressed cider is recommended over apple juice for better flavor depth. The drink can be kept on WARM for up to 4 hours. For a spiked version, add spiced rum or bourbon per serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2-4 hours
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mug
Calories: 180
Sugar: 35
Sodium: 15
Carbohydrates: 38
Fiber: 1

Keywords: slow cooker, apple cider, salted caramel, fall recipe, holiday drink, warm beverage, gluten-free, dairy-free