It's cider season!

It sure feels like fall outside! Although I don’t like it as much as summer (with all of its warmer evenings and longer hours of sunshine), it still has its perks… like fuzzy sweaters, holidays that inspire family and gatherings like Christmas and Thanksgiving, and (my personal favourite) hot apple cider!

In my opinion, there are actually very few beverages that I feel that I love and tend to thoroughly enjoy as much as a really great mug of apple cider. My favourite thing to do is to just keep it simple – add nothing more than maybe a light sprinkle of cinnamon (adding fresh nutmeg is delightful as well!) and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Serve piping hot (be careful when you dive in!). Enjoy every last delicious sip!

This recipe is a pretty standard cider recipe, but I really like that it includes a whole large orange (emphasis on “large”… I find that the added citrus really makes the flavour pop!). I personally adore things like cinnamon and cloves (and many other savory spices), so I usually use more than the recommended amount of those.

As the evenings get darker earlier and cooler in temperature, join me in my apple cider revolution and start making your cider in the crockpot! It really makes a difference in the overall depth of flavour that I have been able to achieve. The best thing? My boyfriend’s buddy bought a house this year that has apple trees! And he has promised me that I can take as many as I want, on the condition that I make him some delicious stuff. No problem! Consider it done!

Easy Slow Cooker Apple Cider:

· 4 Granny Smith apples

· 4 Gala apples (or other apples of your choice)

· 1 large orange

· 3 cinnamon sticks

· 1 to 2 tsp whole cloves

· 6 cups water (to dill the slow cooker)

· Sugar to taste (about ½ cup)

1) After making sure to thoroughly wash the apples and orange, slice them into quarters and place in a slow cooker

2) Add the cinnamon sticks and cloves

3) Add enough water to fill the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours

4) After they are thoroughly softened, mash the apples and orange using a potato masher. Cook for 30 more minutes

5) Strain through a fine mesh strainer (I usually repeat this a few times). Add sugar to taste and stir until dissolved

6) Serve hot