With only three ingredients, this stunning cherry cider is easy to make and festively sweet, making it and perfect for any family-friendly party or movie night.

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Spiced cider with cherry

About Crock Pot Spiced Cherry Cider

Chilly weather calls for hot drinks, and cider is an absolute classic.

But what about spiced cider? Or better yet, cherry spiced cider?

Cherries are another great fruit to enjoy during the holidays, and it really kicks up traditional cider up a notch or two.

Plus, I absolutely love that this is a slow cooker cider. You can set it and forget it and enjoy it when you’re ready for a warm, comforting drink.

How to make cherry cider in a crock pot.

What’s in crock pot spiced cherry cider?

This is a “quick” recipe for cherry cider, so the ingredients are designed to save time and keep things simple.

To make this drink, you’ll need:

  • Bottled apple cider (any brand will do, whether it’s store-bought or sourced locally)
  • Cherry jello mix
  • Cinnamon sticks

Is it okay to drink jello mix?

One of the most common questions I see is whether or not it’s okay to drink jello mix, and, yes. It’s totally safe to drink jello mix.

Nothing “special” happens to the ingredients when jello becomes firm gelatin other than, well, it’s now jello as we know it and no longer a liquid. The ingredients are just as safe to consume in liquid form as they are in full-fledged gelatin form.

Spiced cherry cider recipe in a crock pot.

How long does crock pot cider last?

Once made, it’s best to drink this cider as soon as possible. Leftovers are hard to keep, since it would need to be refrigerated and you run the risk of the cider firming up into jello due to the jello mix.

However, if you like the idea of spiced cherry cider jello, feel free to refrigerate some and enjoy it later! I haven’t tried this myself but, in theory, it should work. Just be sure to double-check the package instructions of the jello you purchased to see if there’s anything else you’d need to do to ensure the success of creating jello from this cider recipe.

Notes & tips for this slow cooker spiced cider

  • This drink is meant to be family-friendly and includes no alcohol. But if you’re looking for something with more of a kick, you can easily spike it with some cherry vodka. If you’re making the full recipe, I recommend using anywhere from one cup or up to 750 ml (1 bottle). Once the cider has finished brewing, Add the vodka in one cup at a time and taste test it as you go. If you’d like more control over the alcohol content, you can add a touch of vodka to each glass while serving.
  • If you’re in the market for a new crock pot, I highly recommend this one. It comes with three different bowl sizes!
Easy crock pot cherry spiced cider

More great recipes with cherries

How to make cherry cider at home

Step 1 – In a crock pot, pour in the apple cider (or apple juice) and the cherry jello mix.

Step 2 – Cover the crock pot and cook for three hours.

Step 3 – Add cinnamon sticks to the crock pot, give it a stir, then cover.

Step 4 – Cook for one more hour.

Step 5 – Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Details

Spiced cider with cherry
4.80 from 5 votes

Crock Pot Spiced Cherry Cider

5 minutes prep + 4 hours cook
109 kcal
Yields: 16 drinks
With only three ingredients, this stunning cherry cider is easy to make and festively sweet, making it and perfect for any family-friendly party or movie night.

Ingredients 

  • 1 gallon apple cider, can also use apple juice
  • 6 ounce cherry gelatin, (2 3oz packages)

Instructions

  • In a 6 quart crock pot, add apple cider and cherry jello, then stir until jello seems dissolved (cider will appear bright red in color).
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.
  • Uncover cider and stir, then toss in cinnamon sticks.
  • Keeping temperature on HIGH, cover and cook cider for 1 more hour.
  • Before serving, remove cinnamon sticks from crock pot and give cherry cider a final stir. You can either set crock pot to warm and serve cider directly from the crock pot OR you can transfer cider to a pitcher. Caution, cider will be very hot – be sure to use a pitcher with a good handle!

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 238mg | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.3mg

I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.

Author: Chrisy

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Recipe Rating




5 comments

    • Camille Pedersen

    Can this be made on the stovetop?

    • Diane Heral
    • 5 stars

    This is sooo good! And it makes the house smells great while simmering.
    I have refrigerated leftover cider with no issues. It didn’t set as Jello, stayed a liquid. Would pour some in mug & microwave. Yum!

    • Chaz DeSimone

    Your website is deliciously designed. I’m a graphic designer who is attracted to and appreciates only the most exquisite design. Yours is outstanding. (Hint: next career move?)

    The only thing I love as much as design is cherries. Cherry ice cream, cherry soda, cherry cough syrup. Especially cherry cough syrup.

    So when I grabbed the can of pineapple chunks off the shelf for my somewhat famous baked beans, got home, and only then realized I grabbed canned cherries instead…well, what the heck…

    Cherry Charlie’s Famous Cherry Baked Beans was born! And yes, after that potluck on the beach, my beans truly were famous.

    I’m going to add cherry jello powder to my next batch, as that sounds like it will kick up the flavor and color another notch.

    Happy Hooplah!

    • Becca
    • 5 stars

    This looks so delicious! We could be sisters…I share your love of all things cherry!

    • April Woods
    • 5 stars

    how delicious! i bet my kids would love this. going to make it when we decorate gingerbread houses 😀