Red Hots apple cider is a sweet, cinnamon-spiced hot drink made with apple cider, cinnamon candies, lemon juice, orange juice, and cinnamon sticks. This slow cooker version takes 10 minutes to prep and 2 hours on HIGH, makes 16 servings, and stays warm for brunches, open houses, and holiday parties.
Growing up, the holiday season wasn't quite complete until the sweet, spicy fragrance of mom's red hot apple cider filled the air. Sometimes she'd make it in her old electric percolator, and other times it simmered away in the slow cooker, but either way, it was always the heart of every holiday gathering.
The candies give the cider its red color and cinnamon warmth, while the citrus brightens the sweetness. Add the orange slices during the last 30 minutes, then switch to WARM when it's ready to serve. For another cozy drink, try my Spiced Tea Mix.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple preparation: Measure, stir, and let the slow cooker heat the cider, with an occasional stir as the candies dissolve.
- Sweet cinnamon flavor: Red Hots melt into the apple cider while lemon and orange juices add a bright citrus edge.
- Easy to serve: Make the full batch for 16 servings, then use WARM after cooking while guests help themselves.
A Family Holiday Favorite
My mom made red hot apple cider in an electric percolator or a slow cooker when I was growing up. This version carries that sweet-spicy holiday flavor into a simple slow cooker recipe.
The deep red color comes from the cinnamon candies. There's no need to add food coloring, extra sugar, or a separate mulling-spice mix.
Tools That Make It Easier
You'll need a 6-quart slow cooker, a knife and cutting board for the orange, measuring cups, a long-handled stirring spoon, a ladle, and heat-safe mugs.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Apple cider: The apple base for this hot drink.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the flavor; bottled lemon juice can be substituted when needed.
- Orange juice: Adds citrus flavor alongside the cider.
- Cinnamon Red Hots candies: Sweeten and color the cider as they dissolve. Small cinnamon imperials also work.
- Orange: Thinly slice it and wait until the final 30 minutes to add the rounds.
- Cinnamon sticks: Heat with the juices, then leave the cooked sticks in the slow cooker when ladling.
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Buy Now → How to Make Red Hots Apple Cider
Step 1: Slice the orange.
Slice the orange into thin rounds and set aside. Measure the juices and cinnamon candies so everything is ready to go.
Step 2: Combine the cider.
Add the apple cider, lemon juice, orange juice, cinnamon candies, and cinnamon sticks to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir briefly to combine the juices and distribute the candies; keep the orange slices aside for now.
Step 3: Heat and stir.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally to help the candies dissolve evenly. The liquid will turn red as the candies melt.
Step 4: Add the orange slices.
Add the orange slices after 1 ½ hours, cover, and cook on HIGH for another 30 minutes. The cider is ready when the candies have completely dissolved and the liquid is piping hot.
Step 5: Ladle and keep warm.
Stir well and ladle into mugs, leaving the cooked orange slices and cinnamon sticks in the slow cooker. Garnish individual mugs with a fresh cinnamon stick or orange slice if desired, then switch the slow cooker to WARM for serving.
A Few Tips Before You Serve
- Stir occasionally: Distribute the melting candies through the cider so the cinnamon flavor blends evenly.
- Check that the candies have dissolved: The two-hour cook time is your guide; the finished cider should be piping hot without hard candy left in the pot.
- Use WARM after cooking: Keep the cider hot for guests without continuing to cook it on HIGH.
- Leave the cooked garnish behind: Ladle the liquid into mugs and use fresh orange slices or cinnamon sticks for individual garnishes if you like.
What to Serve with Red Hots Apple Cider
Cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, and sugar cookies pair naturally with the cider's sweet cinnamon and citrus flavor.
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls for a cozy brunch.
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake for an open-house snack table.
- Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies for a holiday treat.
Gingerbread is another good choice from the serving suggestions. Keep mugs and a ladle near the slow cooker so serving is simple.
Questions About Cinnamon Candy Cider
Can I use cinnamon imperials instead of Red Hots? Yes. Another small cinnamon-flavored hard candy, such as cinnamon imperials, works in this recipe.
Can I make it less sweet? Yes. Reduce the amount of cinnamon candy to suit your taste. The candies contribute both sweetness and cinnamon flavor, so reducing them will change both.
Do the orange slices cook for the full two hours? No. Add them after the first 1 ½ hours and cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
Can I use bottled lemon juice? Yes. Fresh lemon juice gives a brighter flavor, but bottled lemon juice is an option when needed.
The Best Way to Store Leftover Cider
- Refrigerate: Remove the orange slices and cinnamon sticks, cool the cider, and store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, or return the cider to the slow cooker and heat until hot.
- Freeze: Cool completely and freeze in freezer-safe containers with room for expansion for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To make the cider ahead, cook it as directed, remove the orange slices and cinnamon sticks, and follow the refrigerator storage directions above. Reheat until hot before switching to WARM for serving.
More Recipes You Might Like
Spiced Tea Mix is another citrus-and-spice option for chilly days.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix brings chocolate and peppermint to the drink table.
Coffee Punch is a cold, creamy choice for a brunch or party.
PrintRed Hots Apple Cider
Warm up your holiday season with this slow cooker cinnamon red hots apple cider. Packed with spiced flavor and sweet red color, it's a fun drink for festive occasions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 gallon Apple Cider
- 1 cup fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cups Red Hots Candy
- 1 oranges (sliced)
- 6 cinnamon Sticks
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- Measure and gather all ingredients: apple cider, lemon juice, orange juice, red hots candy, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.
Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
- Pour the apple cider, lemon juice, orange juice, red hots candy, and cinnamon sticks into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Do not add the orange slices at this stage.
Cook the Cider
- Set the slow cooker to high heat.
- Cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to help the red hots melt and blend with the liquids.
Add the Orange Slices
- 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, add the fresh orange slices to the slow cooker.
- Allow the cider to finish cooking, letting the orange slices infuse their flavor into the cider.
Serve the Cider
- Using a ladle, pour the warm cider into large cups or mugs.
- For an extra festive touch, add a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving, if desired.
- Enjoy your warm, spiced Red Hots Apple Cider!
Equipment
Buy Now → Nutrition
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 43
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 0.4
- Saturated Fat: 0.1
- Carbohydrates: 51
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0.4
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