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Ready for the best fall drink? This apple cider slushie is so easy to make and looks stunning! With a hint of cinnamon and cloves, it’s perfectly cozy.

Apple cider slushie

No fall is complete without a trip to the apple orchard (in our minds, at least!). This year, after we picked our apples with friends, our son Larson and I got an apple cider slushie to share. Man, was it refreshing! The slushie was just sweet enough, the perfect beverage for a crisp fall day. Of course, my first thought was: I have to make this at home! Alex and I got to cooking, and came up with how to do it. Here’s that apple cider slushie: it’s got a pure cider flavor and a cozy hint of cinnamon and cloves. Best of all, it looks stunning for fall entertaining or leaf peeping! Here’s how to make it.

More apple recipes we love? This stunning apple pie, cozy apple crisp, applesauce, sauteed apples (a la mode!). and these apple streusel muffins (plus a vegan version).

Apple cider slushie

How to an apple cider slushie: two methods

It couldn’t be easier to make a homemade apple cider slushie: don’t worry, you don’t need a slushie machine! There are two different methods for making it: the ice cream machine method, and the blender method. Here are the pros and cons of both.

Method 1: Ice cream maker

The ice cream maker method is the quickest method: it takes just 10 minutes to make a slushie! All you have to do is mix together the cider and spices and pour it in! It comes together with the perfect slushie texture. The down side is that you have to have an ice cream maker! Here’s the 2 quart ice cream maker Alex and I use: see the section below on why we think it’s worth your while to have one.

Method 2: Blender

The blender method takes a little longer, but you don’t need an ice cream maker! All you need is a blender, which we assume you probably have on hand. In this method, you’ll mix together the cider and spices and freeze them in ice cube trays. Then freeze them until they’re solid, about 3 to 4 hours depending on your freezer. When you’re ready to make the apple cider slushies, you’ll blend the ice cubes with a splash of cider to help it blend.

Apple cider slushie

Serving an apple cider slushie (and can you make it spiked?)

The best part about this apple cider slushie is the garnish, I think! Alex made up little apple slices for the garnish. And those red and white striped straws look just perfect, right? (His idea.) You can serve the slushie in any glasses: stemless wine glasses look particularly good.

Want to make a spiked apple cider slushie instead? We haven’t tried it, but looks like you could blend in about 1 cup bourbon into the mix to make a boozy slushie. Or, you can try it warm: we have a great recipe for Spiked Apple Cider.

Speaking of hot cider…make sure to try our Hot Apple Cider or Slow Cooker Apple Cider when you’re in the mood for a warm drink. And that’s all: how to make the perfect fall slushie! Let us know if you try it in the comments below.

Apple cider slushie

What’s the best ice cream maker?

What’s the best ice cream maker? Alex and I use this 2 quart ice cream maker and love it: it’s high quality, durable, and works every time. We previously had an ice cream maker that didn’t get the ice cream cold enough and turned out melty, so that’s saying something!

An ice cream maker is a great holiday or birthday present to ask for, if you don’t want to splurge for it. Outside of an apple cider slushie, you can make ice cream like Salted Chocolate Vegan Ice Cream or our favorite, Jamoca Almond Fudge! Or our Lemon Gelato is a must try.

A few more fall drink recipes…

Looking for more fall drinks or cocktails? Try this:

This apple cider slushie recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Apple cider slushie

Apple Cider Slushie


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 1 minute
  • Cook Time: 9 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Ready for the best fall drink? This apple cider slushie is so easy to make and looks stunning! With a hint of cinnamon and cloves, it’s perfectly cozy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
  • Apple slices, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Stir together all ingredients.
  2. Ice cream maker method: Churn in an ice cream maker for 8 to 10 minutes until it has a frozen texture.
  3. Blender method: Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze 3 to 4 hours until solid. Then process in a high speed blender, with a splash of cider to help blend.
  4. Pour into 4 glasses. Garnish with an apple slice and serve immediately.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Frozen
  • Cuisine: Fall

Keywords: Apple Cider Slushie, Cider Slushie, Fall Drink

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

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7 Comments

  1. I’ve made this a few times.i get cider from the local orchard and always freeze it into cubes-ad some salted caramel bourbon or vodka- delish! The cubes also are great to add when baking a ham or pork roast.

  2. Love what I see here – I just subbed. Can’t wait to make this slushie but I think I’ll spike it with a Lightly spiced dark rum. Most are way too spiced, IMO, but by accident, as I don’t normally shop at Walmart, I found their House brand Spiced Rum is excellent.

  3. Using cuisinart ice cream maker- do you just freeze it if not drinking right away? I’m 1 hour from work at party will serve at. Curious. Thx

    1. I’m not sure if that would work! It might be better to freeze into ice cubes and then blend or food processor upon arrival.