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An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
We have all heard that phrase before. But if you have any picky eaters at home who refuse to eat the fruit (for instance my boyfriend is “allergic” to apples, but can eat apple pie, apple crisp and drink apple cider… suspicious if you ask me) they can still get most of the same benefits by drinking this apple cider! The only main health element missing is the skin, which is good to eat because it provides a lot of fiber. But according to Livestrong, including apples and natural apple products regularly in your diet can keep you at a lower risk for many things, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and even some types of cancer. They are also a great source of antioxidants which can protect the body from free radicals in the environment that we are all exposed to on a daily basis.
Enjoy this Drink All Year Round
Even if you are not making this drink in attempts to appease picky eaters, that’s just fine! You don’t need to have an excuse to prepare something that is both delicious and healthy.
It is nutritious, does not require adding any sweeteners, is an easy recipe with minimal ingredients, and is perfect for any time of year because it can be served hot or cold. (You can also add rum or whiskey and an orange wedge to the warm version and make one of my favorite hot cocktails). Whether you are trapped in a snowstorm or heading for the beach, this makes this cider the perfect crock pot recipe all year long.
Making the Cider
Start by picking out your favorite kind of apple. I love honey-crisp so that is what I have always used. Some people like making cider with an assorted group of apples in order to get a range of flavors, so if you are not loyal to a specific type, I would recommend going that route. That way you a broad array of flavors and get to try a little bit of everything. You can always adjust for sweeter or more sour apples for the next batch depending on what you think.
Then all you need to add is a couple of cinnamon sticks, some allspice, some water, and you’re good to go! In my opinion this recipe does not require any additional sugar or sweeteners. The sweetness from the apples is plenty, especially when combined with the other spices. So I suggest not adding any to the entire batch. However, everyone has different tastes, so feel free to add some sugar, sweetener, or another favorite way to sweeten drinks (agave, honey, maple syrup, etc) on a glass-by-glass basis depending on what you or your friends and family members you are serving to want in it.
When it comes to the amount of water you add, I say 8-10 cups, because it will depend on how strong you want your flavor, how much you want to make, and also how large your crock pot is and what it will hold. I prefer sticking to 8 or 9 cups of water. This is a good place to start if it’s your first time making the drink, because if you decide it is too strong, you can always add additional water once it is done and you’ve tried it. Then you can adjust the next time you make the recipe.
Once you have added everything to the crock pot, you can leave this be and it will be ready for you when you get home from work (and your house will smell amazing). But if you are going to be around anyways while it’s cooking, consider mashing the apples with a potato masher about halfway through. This will enable you to get a little more flavor out of the apples. But this step is optional and don’t worry if you can’t be home to do this, it will still taste great (I usually have this cooking overnight or while I am at work, so I typically skip this step).
I hope you enjoy!
Crock Pot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 8 medium apples
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1.5 tsp allspice – This Simply Organic Allspice is a great option
- 8-10 cups of water
Instructions
- Wash apples and cut into small pieces (six to eight slices will work).
- Place apples, cinnamon sticks, and allspice in the bottom of the crock pot.
- Pour water on top, stir to mix.
- Cook on low heat for 8 hours.
- Optional: halfway through cooking, mash the apples using a potato masher (this can help get more flavor out of them).
- After cooking, strain out apples and cinnamon sticks, pour cider into pitcher.
- Serve hot, or chill and serve cold.
Smell the Cider Memories
Try this recipe hot and cold and then let me know which you prefer! I love making a big batch and cooking it overnight Christmas Eve. Then when the whole family wakes up Christmas morning, the house smells amazing and we have a warm drink to keep us toasty while everyone opens presents.
A fun fact I learned a long time ago, is that smell is the sense that we most closely associate with emotions and memories. Unlike things we see, hear, touch, or taste, smells bypass other parts of our brain and are processed directly through the amygdala, which controls our emotions. This means when we smell something we recognize, it immediately evokes an emotional reaction to that memory. Think of times when this has happened to you. Smelling the cologne of someone you love, the scent of your childhood home, or your Grandma’s famous cookies that are always baking when you walk through her door.
What this means is we have the opportunity to associate particular smells with certain emotions. Try making this recipe every year on a special occasion, like Christmas or someone’s birthday, and after a while they will think of you and the fond memories shared whenever they smell apple cider and it will put a smile on their face.
Adult Cider
Like this apple cider? Then you will love hard cider (if you are 21 or older of course). Perfect for a long day of tailgating or a night out with friends. Click here to read about my recommended brand to buy and you will not be disappointed!
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