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Homemade Apple Cider is so easy to make, makes your house smell amazing, and is the perfect cozy drink.
Apple picking in the fall is one of my favorite family traditions. For years, we would wind up with too many apples, despite my kids eating several a day. Since then, I’ve come up with dozens of recipes to use up the apples, and this apple cider is one of them.
It has been tested and tweaked so it has the perfect amount of spice and sweetness. It is delicious warm, delightful cold, and perfect to use in my Apple Cider Sangria or Apple Cider Margaritas .
Ingredients For Homemade Apple Cider
Here are the simple ingredients that make up this hot apple cider recipe. The measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Apples: I like to use a mixture of sweet and tart apples, like Gala and Granny Smith. But you can truly use whatever apples you love most. You don’t need to peel the apples, just wash and cut them into quarters.
- Sugar: Balances the tartness and enhances the natural sweetness of the apples. The amount called for here is perfect for me, but you can play with it and add more at the end if desired.
- Cinnamon sticks: Add the signature cozy spice while infusing into the cider as it cooks. Whole sticks add flavor evenly to the cider without making it gritty like ground cinnamon might.
- Allspice: A warm, peppery spice that adds a layer of flavor.
- Cloves: Use whole cloves if possible, so they will be strained out of the cider before drinking.
- Water
How to Make Homemade Apple Cider
Step 1: Combine all Ingredients
Add all ingredients to a large stockpot.
Step 2: Cook and Simmer
Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover for three hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Strain the Cider
Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer, pressing the apples as you strain them to get as much liquid out of them as possible. I discard the apple slices/peels. However, many use the leftover apple pulp as the base of applesauce or apple butter .
Step 4: Strain Through a Filter
Strain a second time through a cheesecloth or disposable coffee filter in a fine-mesh sieve . Discard anything that the filter catches. Serve warm in mugs and enjoy!
You can also make this recipe in your crockpot instead of on the stove. Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on high for three hours. This is a great option to keep it warm for serving, just turn the slow cooker to warm setting for up to two hours.
Storing and Reheating Apple Cider
Store any leftover apple cider (once it has cooled) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat the portion you plan to drink on the stovetop or in the microwave, or enjoy cold.
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Ingredients
- 10 apples unpeeled, and cut into quarters, see note 1
- 8 cups water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole allspice
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot. 10 apples, 8 cups water, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 6 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons whole allspice, 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover for three hours, stirring occasionally. (See note 2.)
- Strain through a mesh strainer, press the apples as you strain them to get as much liquid out of them as possible.
- Strain a second time using a mesh strainer and a cheesecloth (a disposable coffee filter is a great replacement for the cheesecloth).
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- I like to use a mixture of sweet and tart apples, like Gala and Granny Smith. But you can truly use whatever apples you love most.
- Instead of boiling on the stovetop, you can cook it on high in your slow cooker for 3 hours.
- This makes about eight 6 ounce servings.
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Apple Cider
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Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 10 apples unpeeled, and cut into quarters, see note 1
- 8 cups water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole allspice
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot. 10 apples, 8 cups water, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 6 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons whole allspice, 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover for three hours, stirring occasionally. (See note 2.)
- Strain through a mesh strainer, press the apples as you strain them to get as much liquid out of them as possible.
- Strain a second time using a mesh strainer and a cheesecloth (a disposable coffee filter is a great replacement for the cheesecloth).
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- I like to use a mixture of sweet and tart apples, like Gala and Granny Smith. But you can truly use whatever apples you love most.
- Instead of boiling on the stovetop, you can cook it on high in your slow cooker for 3 hours.
- This makes about eight 6 ounce servings.
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