Okay, I know this looks like a cheater “recipe” since I gave you the awesome Chai Spiced Caramel Sauce (which you all seemed to love!) not too long ago, but I promise this is a completely different recipe. In fact, this is the recipe that inspired the caramel sauce in the first place. I had been making my spiced cider and then topping it with caramel when I thought, hey, why don’t I just stick the spices into the caramel? And I did.
This, however, was the original recipe. I call it Cardamom Spiced as opposed to Chai Spiced because for some reason in cider form, the cardamom comes through the most. I like it because it makes it different than other spiced ciders. Also, I love cardamom in general.
It’s super easy to make this for a crowd. Just quadruple the recipe (or more depending on how much you need) and stick it in the slow cooker. Or if I’m pressed for time, I’ll simmer and steep it on the stove then transfer it to the slow cooker to keep warm.
I know that it can sometimes be difficult to find whole spices, so I put options for ground spices in the recipe as well. It turns out well both ways, but know that the cider will be much more cloudy when you use ground spices.
I personally think the coconut sugar or brown sugar add more than enough sweetness to the drink, so topping it with caramel is totally optional. But caramel is good on everything, right? Then you can say it’s a Cardamom Spiced Caramel Apple Cider.
Chai Spiced Caramel Apple Cider
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8 cups
Ingredients If using whole spices:
- 3 sticks cinnamon
- 10 whole green cardamom
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp whole allspice
- 1 inch ginger cut into coins
- 2 whole star anise
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 8 cups apple cider or apple juice
If using ground spices:
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 8 cups apple cider or apple juice
Optional:
- Chai Spiced Caramel
Instructions To make cider on the stove:
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Bring to a boil then lower the heat and keep at a simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Top with caramel syrup if desired.
To make cider in the slow cooker:
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on High for 1 hour.
- Lower the heat to warm and serve straight from the crock with caramel on the side for topping.
Notes
When making this for a crowd I like to combine all the spices with a cup or two of apple cider/juice and heat according to the stove top directions. Once the spices have steeped, I combine everything in a crockpot and heat until warm. Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? What’s your favorite holiday drink?
Other Fall treats:
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