Homemade Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Merry Christmas my friends. I am back home in the beautiful Cleveland, Ohio. This city is on it's way up, and I am enjoying the beautiful historic sites that I used to take for granted. 

One aspect of my inner world is to appreciate everything in life, including my roots. We cannot take away our roots and it's important to discover and cherish our upbringing. 

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." -Norman Vincent Peale

Nothing reminds me more of Christmas than cranberries. The crockpot is one of the most versatile cooking tools that anyone can use. All you need to do is to place all the ingredients into the crockpot and push start! 

I used fresh cranberries as I try to make everything as natural as possible. But if you prefer to use juice, I recommend using sugar-free cranberry juice and adding sugar or agave nectar if needed. This recipe has a nice cranberry tone but is not overwhelming. Thus, if you prefer more cranberry flavor, add additional cranberries or more juice. 

Even when Christmas is over, this is the perfect winter drink to keep you warm on a cold winter's night. Now that we are heading toward the spring solstice, thankfully we'll be gaining more light. But this is the time of year to embrace the cooler climate, reflect upon the seasonal transition and plant our seeds for the upcoming season. 

"Let us love winter for it is the spring of genius." - Pietro Aretino

Homemade Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider 
Cook Time: 4 Hours

Ingredients:
64 oz. apple ciders (8 cups)
1.5 cups of fresh cranberries, washed (or juice)
1 small navel orange, sliced
1/4 tsp whole cloves (6)
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp allspice berries
1 tbsp cane sugar

Directions:
Place all the ingredients into the crockpot. Cover with a lid and cook at the four hour setting. If needed, about half way through you can smash some of the cranberries with a fork to increase the color. 

*If you desire a stronger cranberry flavor, add more into the crock pot.* 

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