This slow-cooker caramel apple cider recipe is so easy to make and slow-cooked to perfection with just the right hint of cozy spices. Add whipped cream and caramel drizzle for the ultimate family-friendly treat when the temperature drops.

I love to see my kid’s faces light up when they come home to wonderful smells filling the house. And slow-cooked apple anything is sure to make your house smell as good as it gets this side of heaven. See also: crockpot apple butter, apple crisp in the slow cooker, and crockpot baked apples.

As my kids have gotten older they have come to love “custom” warm drinks, like the ones served in coffee houses and such. This slow-cooker caramel apple cider is the perfect treat at the end of a school day or on a lazy Saturday afternoon. During the colder months, I make a batch on the weekend and store whatever we don’t finish in the fridge to quickly heat up after school or for weeknight treats. Don’t let the simplicity fool ya, though. This caramel apple cider is definitely party-worthy as well.

So, what do you need to make my crockpot caramel apple cider recipe? Apple juice, a jar of caramel, ground cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Oh yeah, this apple cider is delicious! The instructions are as easy as dumping everything in your crockpot, giving it a stir, and walking away. I cook it slow and on low for four hours and at the end, you have a sweet yet perfectly spiced caramel apple cider the whole family will enjoy.

I love to serve mine with whipped cream and more caramel drizzle because you can never have enough, right? Keep scrolling for stovetop directions as well if you don’t wanna wait. Either way, I hope you get to make it soon and enjoy some slow sippin’ time with your loved ones during these cold spells.

Recipe Ingredients

Apple juice
Caramel
Ground cinnamon
Cloves
Allspice

How to Make Slow-Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

Place apple juice in a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in spices and caramel and place heat on low.

After one hour, stir well again.

Continue cooking on low for 3 more hours.

Serve in mugs topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, if desired.

Storage

When stored in an airtight container like a mason jar or bottle, your apple cider will last up to 1 week in the fridge. Reheat it on the stovetop until heated through.

Recipe Notes

Add a cinnamon stick garnish to your hot apple cider for extra spice or dust your whipped cream with extra cinnamon instead of caramel.
Want to make your own caramel? Here’s my homemade dulce de leche recipe.
If you can’t get your hands on a jar of caramel, caramel sauce or caramel topping for ice cream also work.
If you make this in the fall and have access to some fresh apple cider, you can definitely use that instead of apple juice.
For a little touch of zesty flavor like a mulled apple cider, add orange slices (1 orange cut into circles) to the slow cooker.

Recipe FAQs

How do you make caramel apple cider on the stovetop?

If you’re in a hurry and have time to stand over the stove, you can make this in a pot just by heating it over medium heat and stirring constantly. Once it comes to a boil, allow it to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.

What is the difference between apple cider and mulled apple cider?

Apple cider is typically an alcoholic beverage served cold, while the mulled apple cider is a spiced drink served warm. Alcohol is often added to mulled apple cider (more on that below).

What alcohol goes well with apple cider?

Brandy, cognac, bourbon, whiskey, or rum (bonus points for spiced rum) all go well with apple cider. Spike it with a shot of one of these spirits before serving.

What are the best spices for spiced apple cider?

There are so many warm spices you can use in this caramel apple cider recipe. I’d recommend sticking to 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon as the base (or 2 cinnamon sticks) and then adding a cumulative teaspoon or two of any of the below:

Nutmeg
Cloves
Allspice
Cardamon
A star anise for a unique licorice taste.
Ginger
Five-spice
Peppercorn (yep, really, this is common in European mulled apple cider recipes).
Pumpkin pie spice
Apple pie spice

For that traditional mulled apple cider feel, use whole spices (like whole cloves, whole allspice berries, and even fresh ginger). You can just pop them in the slow cooker as is or tie them up in cheesecloth and submerge that in the cider.

How do you make cranberry apple cider?

Substitute the caramel for 4 cups of sweetened cranberry juice and proceed as instructed.

Here are more cozy drink recipes:

Red Velvet Hot Cocoa

Gingerbread Spiced Coffee

Stovetop Hot Chocolate

Mocha Coffee Floats

Easy Eggnog Recipe (Without Eggs)

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home