Slow Cooker Apple Cider Sparklers

 

1

quart (4 cups) apple cider

3

cinnamon sticks (3 inch)

3

whole cloves

1

piece (1 inch) gingerroot, peeled

1/4

teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Grated peel of 2 lemons

3

tablespoons lemon juice

Grated peel of 1 orange

3

tablespoons orange juice

1

vanilla bean, split, seeded

1/4

cup packed brown sugar

1

bottle (750 ml) sparkling white wine or champagne

Orange, lemon and apple slices, if desired

• 1 Pour cider into 3-quart slow cooker. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, gingerroot, nutmeg, lemon peel, lemon juice, orange peel, orange juice, vanilla bean and brown sugar; mix well.
• 2 Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 hours.
• 3 Remove cinnamon sticks, cloves, gingerroot and vanilla bean before serving. Keep cider warm in slow cooker, or transfer to heatproof pitcher if serving immediately.
• 4 Ladle or pour cider into mugs, filling halfway; fill rest of mug with wine. Garnish with orange, lemon and apple slices.