If you’ve never made apple cider, now is the time to start. This easy homemade apple cider is filled with warming spices and just enough sweetness, making it the ideal drink to have on the back burner when you’re hosting guests. It’s such a crowd-pleaser!
Homemade Apple Cider
I believe that apple cider would be the best option if we could capture the fall season in a bottle. Warm beverages like this Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate and this easy apple cider are such a comfort on the cooler fall days and winter time. It’s delicious!
This apple cider is so easy to make. There’s no need to peel the apples and oranges. Not only is there lots of flavor on the skin of the fruit, but you’ll strain everything through a fine mesh strainer at the end, which will catch all the solids (including the whole spices).
Why make Apple Cider at Home?
- It tastes so much fresher than anything you can buy at the store.
- You get to choose your sweetener and how much of it you add.
- Makes your home smell absolutely amazing.
- It will make you and your guests feel extra cozy.
- Another great reason is that you can use it for baking. I made this delicious Apple Cider Cake
Ingredients:
Apples: Use your favorite apple. Just know that stronger-flavored apples will give your cider a stronger flavor. I decided to use Honeycrisp; another one with a strong flavor is Granny Smith. You can even use a combination of both.
Oranges: Use fresh, ripe oranges. There is no need to peel them before adding them to your stockpot or slow cooker. Make sure to remove the orange halves at the time of mashing the apples to avoid the drink being bitter.
Cinnamon and cloves: You can use either whole or ground spices.
Dark Brown Sugar (Optional): You can decide if you wish to sweeten your apple cider, but if you do, the dark brown sugar adds another layer of rich flavor to it.
Garnish (optional) Use apple slices, orange slices, or cinnamon sticks for festive and appetizing garnishes if you desire.
Storing Apple Cider:
Apple cider will be kept in the refrigerator for two weeks. Allow it to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator.
Homemade Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 8-10 large apples quartered (no need to peel)
- 1 orange halved
- 3 cinnamon sticks or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1 whole nutmeg
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 10 to 11 cups water
Instructions
- In a large pot, over medium heat, add apples, oranges, spices, and brown sugar. Cover with water. Bring to a boil, uncovered, for 1 hour. Then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours. The liquid should begin to turn amber in color when it's done. Add more sugar and water as needed. Just make sure the water is hot.
- Next, using a fine mesh sieve, strain your cider into a big bowl. Press on the solids with a wooden spoon to squeeze all the juices out. Discard the whole spice. Your mixture will be concentrated, so you can adjust to your taste with more boiling hot water. I like it concentrated. Serve apple cider warm.
Notes
Storing Apple Cider:
Apple cider will be kept in the refrigerator for two weeks. Allow it to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator.Nutrition
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Tell me what you think of this recipe, and if you have any questions, don’t forget to get in touch with me. I’m always happy to hear from YOU.
Until the next one…
