Easy Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Easy Homemade Apple Cider is a flavorful and comforting beverage made with fresh apples, warm spices, and citrus slices, simmered on the stove to perfection. This simple recipe yields a delicious cider that's perfect for sipping on chilly days or serving at holiday gatherings. Enjoy the warmth and aroma of homemade apple cider!
Ingredients
- 10-12 medium-sized apples a mix of sweet and tart varieties
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar or granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- Optional: additional spices such as nutmeg allspice, or ginger
Instructions
- Wash the apples thoroughly and chop them into quarters, leaving the skins and cores intact.
- In a large pot, combine the chopped apples, water, brown sugar or granulated sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, orange slices, lemon slices, and any additional spices you'd like to add.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the cider simmer uncovered for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- As the apples cook, they will soften and release their juices, infusing the liquid with flavor.
- After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and let the cider cool slightly.
- Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the softened apples in the pot, releasing even more flavor.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the cider through the strainer, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Discard the solids left in the strainer.
- Taste the cider and adjust the sweetness and seasoning as needed by adding more sugar or spices.
- Serve the homemade apple cider warm, or chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving over ice.
- Optionally, garnish each glass of cider with a cinnamon stick or slice of orange for a festive touch.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade apple cider!
Notes
Some tips for this recipe:
- Use a mix of apple varieties for the best flavor and balance of sweetness and tartness. Popular choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness and spice level of the cider to suit your taste preferences. You can always add more sugar or spices during the cooking process or after straining.
- Store any leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to one week. Simply reheat before serving, or enjoy it cold over ice.