Spice it & Spike it: Homemade Apple Cider

I am so happy to finally be in our own house again with our own kitchen. I know, I know. I’ve said this like 1347823648734657 times. I’ll probably say it again. One of my favourite places to be is in the kitchen.  I’m definitely no wiz in there but I love playing around and trying new things.

Everything made at home is better. Tyler and I are big advocates of avoiding the isles at the grocery store. (another thing I’ve said a billion times. Is it sticking yet?) Basically, if its something that you can make it at home, I sure will try.

My goal is to avoid unnecessary chemicals (and sugar!!!) whenever I can. BUT who wants to miss out on all the tasty things that help make the holidays the holidays?

Here’s the thing: even if you’re making something with added sugar, it won’t be as much as the store bought version, you have the option of choosing something other than refined sugar, AND you can actually see what is going in your food/beverages. Something that might last a week in the fridge is a helluva lot better than something with shelf life.

OKAY! Now back to that part about enjoying the holidays….

Apple Cider. This is the one that always gets me during xmas time… I can pass on the egg nog, the peppermint mocha’s…. but apple cider is my weakness.

The touch of spice, the cinnamon…. I love that it’s dairy free so it doesn’t feel so heavy.

The downfall: tons of added  refined sugar. The store bought stuff, the Starbucks caramel apple spice (fucking delicious though)

AND none of those will make your house smell as fantastic and festive as making it in your slow cooker.(yes, I’m an 80 year old woman on the inside) Not to mention…. you can’t exactly spike your Starbucks apple cider…

Just imagine: it’s a cold snowy day.. you walk into your house. It’s warm and filled with an apple cinnamon scent, the tree lights are on, Santa baby playing in the background… It’s like living a TV commercial.

Okay, enough enough.

Here’s what you’ll need for Slow Cooker Apple Cider:

8 apples (I used a mix of granny smith and gala)
1 orange
5 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
11 cups water
1/2 cup brown sugar

Here’s what you do:

Roughly chop the apples and orange into large chunks.. Don’t worry about the cores or peels. Place in your slow cooker with the cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and all spice. Add the water, cover, and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours.

About an hour before it’s finished, mash everything up with a potato masher and leave to cooker for the remaining time. Strain the cider into a fresh jug or pot. I used a mesh strainer to get the most out of the apples. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved.

Serve with a cinnamon stick (and a shot of whiskey) and enjoy!

PSST: As you’re sipping your (spiked) apple cider, get some Christmas Shopping done! I’ve added a shop tab, so keep checking back for the ULTIMATE gift guides. And for now… Black Friday may be done, but cyber Monday is tomorrow. Get your shopping carts ready!

XOXO