Published: · Modified: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 8 Comments
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This crockpot chai hot apple cider puts a little spin on the classic fall beverage. Five minutes of prep time and your kitchen will smell like autumn! 110 calories and 4 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Chai Hot Apple Cider Recipe {Crockpot}
Nothing says fall like the scent of spiced hot apple cider wafting through the house. And while you're cooking up a batch of your favorite soup or stew (Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash, anyone?), you might as well put the slow cooker to work, too.
The first time I made this crockpot apple cider recipe, my family were drawn to the kitchen like bears to honey, noses in the air and eyes closed in reverential bliss. The flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, star anise and cardamom are all tucked away inside of most chai tea bags and add a wonderful spiced flavor to apple cider.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS Chai Hot Apple Cider recipe:
These are the main components for this recipe (including affiliate links)…
- Apple cider: To clarify, when I say "apple cider", I'm referring to the unfiltered, often unpasteurized, opaque juice. Not the clear, filtered variety and not the bubbly alcoholic drink. While the best apple ciders often come straight from the farm, you can often find some good alternatives in the supermarket or health food stores, such as Whole Foods.
- Chai tea bags: There are plenty of options available at your local supermarkets and online. I've made this recipe with a couple of different brands of chai tea bags, such as these ones and these ones. If you're a loose leaf tea fan, pour your favorite variety into a couple of infusers and flat them in the apple cider while heating.
- Apples: Slice them up and steep them in the apple cider. They make a pretty presentation when served in a glass mug.
- Spices: Cinnamon sticks and star anise are what I use. Whole cloves would also be good. Be sure to strain them out before serving. The star anise is optional (more on it below), so don't fret if you don't have any. You'll still get plenty of flavor from the tea bags.
What is star anise and where can I buy it?
- Star anise is a spice that is used in much eastern cooking, particularly popular in Chinese cuisine. It is one of the integral spices in Chinese 5 spice powder, which is a distinctive spice blend that I like to use in my teriyaki meatballs and on roasted sweet potatoes.
- Star anise is actually the fruit of a small ornamental Chinese evergreen tree. The fruit is plucked from the tree before ripening, then dried. It can be used whole or ground.
- Many well-stocked grocery stores often carry star anise, either in the spice aisle or in the international aisle. Alternatively, you can order star anise online (affiliate link). If you have an Asian market near you, chances are that you can find star anise at a smokin' deal! This is one of the items that I always stock up on at our local Asian market. Cinnamon sticks, too!
Throw everything into the crockpot - apple cider, chai tea bags, cinnamon sticks, star anise and apple slices - and heat until warm. If you have a large slow cooker and a crowd of people, feel free to double or even triple the recipe.
Other hot drink recipes:
{Cookin' Canuck}
{Cookn' Canuck}
Chocolate Caliente (Authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate) {The Spruce Eats}
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte {Inspired Taste}
Printable Recipe
Chai Hot Apple Cider Recipe (Crockpot)
This crockpot Chai Hot Apple Cider puts a little spin on the classic fall beverage. Five minutes of prep time and your kitchen will smell like autumn! 110 calories and 4 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Holiday Recipes
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 110kcal
Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck
Ingredients
- 64 ounces good-quality apple cider
- 4 chai tea bags black tea
- ½ apple sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 6 star anise optional
Instructions
In a slow cooker, combine the apple cider, tea bags, apple slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise.
Heat on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours until hot.
Ladle into mugs. Serve each portion with one of the apple slices, if desired.
Notes
Weight Watchers Points: 4 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 3 (Points+)
Nutrition
Serving: 8Ounces | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 24g
Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.
The post was originally published on September 28, 2016 and updated on September 22, 2019.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet
Wow! Love how easy this is and such few ingredients! Definitely making this!
Reply
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens
This is awesome - quintessential fall flavors, and so easy! I just love the thought of having this quietly burbling away on the countertop at a potluck or fall party ... just waiting to delight everyone with its warm, cozy fall flavors! Terrific idea!
Reply
Sheena
Yes, please! Chair and apple cider are both my favorite, so this is a winning combo for me! Great recipe!
Reply
Maryanne | the little epicurean
I love fresh from the farm apple cider! This sounds like it would smell so good as it warms up!
Reply
Sandi Gaertner
Apple cider is a staple for this season. Love adding the chai to it.
Reply
Sibel
This is a great, must try fall recipe. Will try it soon.
Reply
Sara | Life's Little Sweets
Your apple chai recipe looks amazing; I'll have to try it out this Fall:) Thank you for linking to my recipe!
Reply
D. Jerome Hauk
I do not know where to suss out star anise in Edmonton. Suggestions as to where soneone has actually seen it ?
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