Apple Pear Cider Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Holiday Drink

Hello! I’m Amelia, welcome to Ritzy recipes. My love for cooking started from a very personal journey. When my first child was eight years old, he went through a difficult period of illness. His doctor always advised me to pay close attention to his nutrition, so I found myself searching for healthy and nourishing recipes. Spending more time in the kitchen, experimenting with different ingredients, and learning how food can truly make a difference became a passion. From that moment on, cooking was no longer just a necessity it became something I truly love. So here we are! Today, I am sharing a cozy drink that fills your entire house with the scent of sweet comfort.

Next, let me tell you that this soulful apple pear cider recipe is the perfect way to welcome your guests during chilly months. My kitchen isn’t about perfection — it’s about real food, real life, and real flavor. You will feel like you are sitting right at the table with me while this pot simmers away. This drink combines sweet orchard fruits with warm, glowing spices to create pure magic. Grab a glass of sweet tea for now, and let us get this beautiful batch started!

Then, remember that you do not need any fancy equipment or advanced chef skills to throw down in the kitchen with this recipe. We love creating simple, memorable moments, especially when preparing our special new-thanksgiving-recipes. This drink stands out as one of the most comforting, non alcoholic holiday drinks you will ever serve to your family. Now, let us look at the simple things you need to gather.

What You Need

Next, check your pantry and fruit bowl because this recipe relies on simple, wholesome elements. Also, you do not need to stress over pristine fruit since we mash everything anyway.

  • Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart varieties for balance.
  • Pears: Juicy, ripe pears add a luxurious depth.
  • Oranges: One large orange provides a beautiful citrus note.
  • Whole Spices: Gather cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.
  • Sweetener: Brown sugar or pure maple syrup adds the perfect finish.
  • Water: Fresh water fills the pot to submerge your orchard fruit.

Then, check out our quick-and-delicious-recipes if you need more holiday inspiration. Also, make sure your slow cooker is clean and plugged in. This crock pot cider recipe practically makes itself once you finish the quick chopping step. Let us jump right into the easy process!

Step 1: Prep and Chop Your Fruit

Freshly quartered red apples, green pears, and orange slices arranged on a light wooden cutting board.

Next, grab your cutting board and a sharp knife because we need to chop our beautiful orchard bounty. Then, remember that you do not need to peel or core anything for this apple pear cider recipe. Also, simply wash the fruit thoroughly under cool water to remove any dirt or wax.

Then, slice your apples and pears into large quarters. Also, cut your orange into thick rounds or quarters to release the bright juices easily. This rustic style ensures all the deep flavors escape into the liquid during the long simmer.

Step 2: Load the Crock Pot and Add Spices

Next, place all your chopped fruit pieces directly into the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Then, scatter your whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise right over the top. Also, do not substitute ground spices here because they make the final drink gritty.

Then, pour fresh water into the insert until the liquid almost covers the fruit pieces. Also, leave a little space at the top so the pot does not overflow when it begins to bubble. This setup creates a wonderfully rich, homemade mulled apple cider base.

Chopped apples and pears in a crock pot topped with whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.

Step 3: Simmer into Liquid Gold

Next, place the lid securely on your machine to lock in all that aromatic steam. Then, set your appliance to the low heat setting for eight hours, or use the high setting for four hours. Also, your kitchen will start smelling absolutely incredible within the first hour.

Then, watch as the fruits soften and lose their bright colors to the liquid. Also, this slow, gentle heat extracts every single bit of natural sweetness from the orchard bounty. This reliable slow cooker spiced cider method lets you walk away and tend to other things.

Step 4: Mash and Strain for Perfection

Next, uncover your machine carefully once the cooking time finishes completely. Then, grab a potato masher and press down firmly on the soft, cooked fruit pieces right inside the hot liquid. Also, this step releases the remaining rich pulp and sweet juices into your brew.

Then, set a fine mesh strainer or a layer of clean cheesecloth over a large clean pot. Also, ladle the warm mixture through the strainer carefully to catch all the seeds, stems, and spice pieces. Press the pulp one last time to catch every drop, then stir in your brown sugar or maple syrup!

FAQs

Can I make this apple pear cider on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for the stovetop. Combine the quartered fruit, whole spices, and water in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 4 to 5 hours, monitoring the liquid level occasionally, until the fruit is completely soft and ready to be mashed.

What are the best types of apples and pears to use for homemade cider?

You can use any variety of apples and pears you have on hand. For the best flavor profile, a blend of different varieties is highly recommended. Combining sweet options (like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Bartlett pears) with tart options (like Granny Smith apples) creates a beautifully balanced, rich, and complex cider flavor.

Do I need to peel and core the fruit before making the cider?

No, there is no need to peel, core, or remove the seeds and stems from the apples, pears, and oranges. Simply wash the fruit thoroughly and cut them into quarters. Since the entire mixture is pressed and passed through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth at the end of the cooking process, all the solid waste will be discarded automatically.

Can I use ground spices if I don’t have whole spices?

Whole spices (such as whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg, and cloves) are strongly recommended for this recipe. Ground spices do not dissolve in water and will leave your cider cloudy, gritty, and overly powdery, even after straining. Whole spices infuse the liquid with a clean, deep, aromatic flavor while leaving the finished drink perfectly smooth.

A steaming mug of non alcoholic holiday apple pear cider on a neutral linen napkin.

The Wrap-Up & Call to Action

Next, pour your warm creation into your favorite mugs and share it with the people you love most. Then, store any leftover liquid in a sealed jar inside your refrigerator for up to five days. Also, you can easily reheat individual portions on the stove whenever you need a cozy treat.

Then, remember to save this recipe to your favorite holiday board on Pinterest so you can find it easily next time. Also, please leave a comment down below to tell me how your house smells right now!

Print
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A steaming mug of non alcoholic holiday apple pear cider on a neutral linen napkin.

Apple Pear Cider Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Holiday Drink


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  • Author: Amelia
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

A warm, soulful apple pear cider recipe made easy in your slow cooker. This beautiful holiday drink combines fresh orchard fruits with aromatic whole spices for a cozy treat the whole family will love.


Ingredients

Scale

6 large apples (mixed sweet and tart)

4 ripe pears (like Bartlett or Bosc)

1 large orange

3 whole cinnamon sticks

1 teaspoon whole cloves

2 whole star anise

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Water to cover


Instructions

1. Wash all the fruit thoroughly and cut the apples, pears, and oranges into large quarters without peeling or coring.

2. Place the fruit pieces and the whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise into the slow cooker.

3. Pour fresh water into the slow cooker until it almost covers the fruit completely.

4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the fruit becomes completely soft.

5. Mash the softened fruit with a potato masher directly in the slow cooker to release the juices.

6. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pot, discarding the solid pulp.

7. Stir in the brown sugar until fully dissolved, pour into mugs, and serve warm.

Notes

Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 26g
  • Sodium: 10mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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