One of the things I love about fall and winter are the foods that are in season right now, especially apples! Apples are one of my favorite ingredients to cook with – apple pie, baked apples, apple crisp.. The list could go on!! I love making home made apple cider because it is SUPER easy, it makes the house smell amazing, and it is delicious (way better than the store bought kind!) This is a great base recipe that you can alter according to your preference – Add more spices if you like it spicy, add some sugar if you like it sweet, and add some whiskey if you like an extra kick!

Ingredients:

• 8 medium apples (whichever kind you like)
• 1 orange
• 1/2 tsp allspice (whole)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (optional)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp cloves (whole)
• 1 nutmeg (whole)
• 12 cups water

Directions:

1. Roughly chop the apples and orange into quarters and place them in the slow cooker
2. Add the allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and honey
3. Cover with water
4. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours
5. 1 hour before the cider is done cooking: mash the apples with a spoon or tongs and add the (optional) brown sugar
6. Finish cooking for the last hour
7. Strain the cider into a clean pitcher or pot
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Cider can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. It is good cold too! Feel free to leave a comment below to let me know what you think or if you have any questions! 🙂