A cup of warm apple cider is the quintessential fall drink. Complement fresh apples with warm spices, brightness from orange slices, and sweetness from brown sugar. Not only is the flavor delightfully complex and comforting, but preparing a batch of this fresh cider will make your whole house smell incredible!
Make use of the tasty apples that apple season brings for this cider recipe by using your favorite or local varieties. You can use a variety of different apples for a balanced sweet-tart flavor brightened with acidity from the orange. If you’re looking for more hot drink recipes, try wassail, mulled wine, or hot toddy.
Ingredients
Orange — an orange adds bright acidity and depth of flavor to the homemade cider.
Apples — you need plenty of fresh apples. I like using a variety of apples, sweet and tart, for added complexity. If you can find local apples that aren’t waxed, that’s ideal! Otherwise, give the apples a good scrub and rinse them in cold water before slicing them.
Spices — cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice (also called allspice berries), and whole nutmeg add warmth and flavor.
Sugar — I used brown sugar for a caramel-like sweetness in the cider.
Water — you need 10 cups of water, or enough water to cover the apple mixture by 1 inch.
The Best Apples To Use For Homemade Cider
I love using an assortment of fresh apples here, combining sweet and tart varieties for a more complex homemade apple cider. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala, and Braeburn apples are all wonderful options. Even softer apples like Jonagold or Golden Delicious are great for cider because it doesn’t matter if the apples hold their shape during cooking. Pick your apples by choosing varieties with the best flavor to you.
How To Make Apple Cider
1. Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to slice off four strips of orange zest. Set the slices of orange peel aside for now. Peel the remaining white pith from the orange, then cut the orange flesh into pieces.
2. Core the apples and cut them into quarters. No need to peel them.
3. Add the apple slices, orange, and strips of orange zest into a large pot or large stockpot. Add the brown sugar.
4. Drop in the whole spices.
5. Cover with enough water so the apples are submerged by 1 inch.
6. Set over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot partially with a lid. Cook at a low boil for about 1 hour or until the apples are very soft. Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash the apples and orange to release their juices. Cook over medium-low heat for one more hour.
7. Add the mixture to a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl.
8. Strain the mixture, pressing against the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Enjoy warm or chilled.
Can I Use A Slow Cooker?
Yes, It’s so easy to make-your-own apple cider in a crock pot! Add the sliced fruit along with the rest of the ingredients to a large slow cooker, covering with water by 1 inch. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Your cider is done cooking when the apples are completely soft. Continue with the recipe as written to mash and strain the cider.
How To Store Apple Cider
- Refrigerating: Cool the cider, then transfer it to an airtight container or glass jars and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Warm it up on the stovetop if you enjoy hot cider, or drink it chilled.
- Freezing: Once cooled completely, transfer the fresh cider to freezer-safe jars or airtight containers, leaving room at the top to allow the liquid to expand as it freezes. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating it on the stove.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- There is no need to peel your apples. Leaving the apple peels on will save a lot of time!
- Use additional spices: This recipe can be dressed up with slices of fresh ginger or other spices you enjoy, like star anise, whole cardamom, and even a bit of black pepper.
- Use other sweeteners: You can replace the brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or regular granulated sugar. After cooking and straining your homemade cider, have a taste and add more sweetener if needed.
- If you don’t have a fine mesh sieve, place a single piece of cheesecloth over a colander to strain.
- Serving idea: Garnish cups of cider with a cinnamon stick or orange slice.
- Make it boozy: Spike individual servings of warm apple cider with rum, brandy, or bourbon.
- Bake with it: Use it to make my perfect apple cider donuts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can serve it cold or warm, depending on what you prefer. Cold cider is a great mixer for cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages.
Yes, you can make it in the Instant Pot using the slow cook function. Follow my guidelines for using a slow cooker.
To cook cider under pressure in an Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to at least a 6-quart Instant Pot. Depending on the size of your pot, you may not be able to fit all of the apples and water. Just be sure not to fill it above the Max Fill line of the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, seal the steam valve, and set it to pressure cook on High for 20 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid, then mash and strain the cider according to the recipe.
Apple juice is usually pasteurized and filtered, and will typically contain apple juice and sugar. Apple cider is typically pressed from fresh apples and unfiltered so it has a cloudy appearance. Homemade cider is made by simmering apples ing water with other flavorings.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this apple cider recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Apple Cider Recipe
Equipment
- Stock pot
- Potato masher
Ingredients
- 1 orange (140g)
- 10 apples (about 4 pounds, 1.3kg)
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons whole allspice
- 1 whole nutmeg
- ½ cup brown sugar (110g)
- 10 cups water (2.36L), or enough to cover the apple mixture by 1-inch
Instructions
- Wash the orange and apples. Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to cut four strips of orange zest (just the orange skin.) Peel the remaining white pith from the orange then cut the orange flesh into pieces. Core the apples and cut them into quarters.
- Add the apples and orange along with the strips of orange zest into a large pot (at least 8 quarts.) Sprinkle the brown sugar over top and add the cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg. Cover with the water.
- Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot partially with a lid. Cook at a low boil for about 1 hour or until the apples are very soft.
- Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash the apples and orange. Cook over medium-low heat for one more hour, partially covered.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing against the solids to extract as much cider as possible.
- Enjoy warm or chilled. Cool down and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- There is no need to peel your apples. Leaving the apple peels on will save a lot of time!
- Use additional spices: This recipe can be dressed up with slices of fresh ginger or other spices you enjoy, like star anise, whole cardamom, and even a bit of black pepper.
- Use other sweeteners: You can replace the brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or regular granulated sugar. After cooking and straining your homemade cider, have a taste and add more sweetener if needed.
- If you don’t have a fine mesh sieve, place a single piece of cheesecloth over a colander to strain.
- Serving idea: Garnish cups of cider with a cinnamon stick or orange slice.
- Make it boozy: Spike individual servings of warm apple cider with rum, brandy, or bourbon.
- Bake with it: Use it to make my perfect apple cider donuts!
