Homicider: A Killer Slow Cooker Apple Cider Recipe

When the air turns crisp and the leaves crunch underfoot, nothing sets the scene for a chillingly fun night like a steaming mug of apple cider. At Skills Murder Mysteries, we love crafting immersive mystery party experiences, and that includes pairing your whodunnit with the perfect themed food and drink.

This fall, we’re stirring up something sinister in the slow cooker: Homicider.

It’s warm, spiced, and smells like autumn…but with a deadly twist in name (don’t worry, it’s totally safe to drink!). Inspired by the incredible recipe from Shaliece Felder, who has perfected the art of cozy, comforting cider, we’ve taken her classic base and added a few mysterious touches to make it a standout star at your Halloween bash or murder mystery dinner.

Because when you’re hosting a party full of suspects, detectives, and maybe even a ghost or two, the drinks should be as dramatic as the alibis.

Ingredients for Your Homicider

• 10 apples (a mix of Gala & Red Delicious works best for that sweet, earthy flavor)

• 10 cups of water

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• 5 cinnamon sticks

• 1 tablespoon whole cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

• Optional party flair:

  • 1 orange, sliced into rounds (for garnish)

  • A handful of fresh cranberries (for a blood-red pop of color)

  • Your favorite bourbon, rum, or spiced whiskey (for the adults-only version)

How to Commit the Perfect…Cider

1. Quarter your apples. Don’t bother removing seeds; you’ll strain everything later.

2. Load the slow cooker. Add apples, water, sugar, and spices. Set to low for 3 hours. Your kitchen will start to smell like the coziest autumn crime scene imaginable.

3. Break it down. After 3 hours, mash or blend the apples with an immersion blender.

4. Simmer. Cook for another 1–2 hours, until the flavor is deep enough to feel…almost criminal.

5. Strain the evidence. Carefully pour the cider through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to remove pulp and spices.

6. Serve and sleuth. Ladle into mugs and garnish with apple slices, orange wheels, or a floating cinnamon stick (bonus: make them look suspiciously like evidence markers).

   
   

Killer Party Tips

• Bloody Twist: Add 4 cups of cranberry juice during the last hour for a tart, blood-red brew.

• For Adults Only: Stir in bourbon or dark rum before serving for a lethal nightcap.

• Dramatic Presentation: Serve from a black cauldron or glass drink dispenser with a ladle labeled "Poison" or "Drink at Your Own Risk".

• Interactive Fun: Hand each guest a mug with a suspect’s name written on it. Let them sip their way to solving the mystery.

Why Homicider?

Because a Skills Murder Mysteries party isn’t just about solving the crime, it’s about creating an atmosphere your guests will never forget. The right drink can transform a chilly fall night into a full-on immersive experience. And trust us: the intoxicating scent of apples and spices lingering in the air is the ultimate clue that your party is going to be a killer success.

So, this Halloween or autumn gathering, brew up a batch of Homicider. Just don’t be surprised if your guests start wondering… who poisoned the cider?