It was totally my intention to make a big pot of this Fall Harvest Hot Apple Cider for Halloween night. I envisaged a cold rainy night, we would sit on the porch and have a few sips of our delicious hot cider straight from the slow cooker, as we passed out candy to the neighbourhood kids.
Along comes Halloween night, and it is so hot, we end up sitting in the yard with the neighbours drinking icy cold beers instead. Alas, my little hot apple cider fantasy was not to be. My poor son was stuffed into a big puffy pumpkin outfit to boot – that sweaty little man was not a happy chappy.
Regardless of the complete lack of cooperation from the Californian weather (I shouldn’t have been surprised), I have persevered and made hot apple cider a couple of times already this season. It is so comforting and delicious, I just can’t help myself.
I have packed it full of all the beautiful, fresh, Fall fruit available at the farmers market at this time of year. It is a great way to use up some of the old, wrinkly, forgotten fruit languishing at the bottom of the fruit bowl or the back of the fridge at the end of the week. I have definitely been known to sneak some overly squishy pears bound for the garbage in there, and they tasted great (so much sweeter)! Play around with the fruit you have on hand, and make it your own.
Speaking of Fall fruit, make sure you use up those leftover cranberries with some Pumpkin and Fresh Cranberry Bread and Cranberry and Clove Apple Sauce. They will definitely keep you in the holiday spirit, and make your house smell amazing to boot 🙂
Do you have a favourite hot drink you enjoy when the cooler weather rolls around? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment, like on Facebook or pin to Pinterest for later. Happy eating (and drinking).
- 4 apples use multiple varieties
- 2 persimmons
- 1 pear I used an asian pear
- 1 orange
- Handful of pomegranate arils optional
- 9 cups water
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tbsp mulling spices
- honey or maple syrup to taste
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Core the apples, persimmons and pears and cut into quarters. Leave the skin on
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Cut the orange into slices
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Pop all of the fruit, along with the water, cinnamon sticks and mulling spices (tie these into some cheese cloth so that they are easily removed), into the slow cooker. Set on low for 8 hours
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Once cooked, remove the cinnamon sticks, the mulling spices and as much of the fruit as possible
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Pour the remaining liquid into a blender (I do this in 2 batches), blend, and then pour through a fine mesh sieve (I actually used a nut milk bag), into a clean container
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Pour the cider back into the slow cooker, and set to keep warm
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Serve warm, and use some honey or maple syrup to sweeten if required. Garnish with some orange and apple slices and some pomegranate arils to make it pretty (optional)
Hey there! I think I am making this for tomorrow and I’m so excited about it! I’m kinda just making this for myself since I’ll be the only one at home most of the day, so there will be quite a bit leftover. Do you know long this keeps in the fridge? In other words, how many days do I get to enjoy this? 🙂 thanks!
Hey Amanda, it is fine in the fridge for about 4-5 days (prob ok a bit longer, but I am always a bit cautious). If you are looking for ways to use it up (if you cant drink it all), I also used it instead of water when making my morning oats, and it tasted delicious! Enjoy!! Have a great thanksgiving 🙂
I want to drink this immediately! My husband and I have been stocking up on Persimmons since they are abundant this time of year, and this drink looks like another jackpot way to include one of my favorite fruits. Yay! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Oh you are so welcome Aarika! We have been going persimmon crazy over here as well – my two year old is totally addicted (who would have thought!).
This cider looks so warm and delicious, love the idea of adding pomegranate!
Thanks Jessica, I have been adding pomegranate to everything since I figured out how to easily get the arils out 🙂
This sounds delish & looks so pretty! Might have to try it!
I hope you do Lori 🙂
That looks beautiful. Another thing to try.
Thanks Jenny 🙂
This sounds so warm and yummy, with so little added sugar. I am so doing this. Thank you!
Oh thank you April! Yes, the sweetness from the fruit really cuts down on the need for sugar. I always add a little bit of honey though 🙂
WOW! That almost looks too pretty to eat!!!
Aww thanks Natalie, the fruits all looked so beautiful together!
This looks so comforting. I had an apple cider te amo my love bag the other day but it was nothing like what I bet this tastes like. Great post and site! I found you on FB GYB page. Let me know if you’d like to collaborate, be a guest writer with links back to your blog (or vice versa), or get together to do a giveaway with some other bloggers, just support each other in some way. My site is http://www.4hourbodygirl.com
All the best,
Heather
Thank you so much Heather! I just popped over and checked out your site – I absolutely love it!! I will definitely be in touch 🙂