Name: Easy Homemade Apple Cider (Stovetop Recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 24 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 apples; 2 oranges; 8 cinnamon sticks; 2 tablespoons whole cloves; 32 cups water; 1 cup brown sugar

Easy Homemade Apple Cider (Stovetop Recipe)

Easy Homemade Apple Cider (Stovetop Recipe) cover

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Easy Homemade Apple Cider (Stovetop Recipe)

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Easy Homemade Apple Cider (Stovetop Recipe)

Instructions

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Instructions

Wash apples, core and cut into large chunks. Peel orange and break into segments.

Add apples, orange segments, cinnamon sticks, cloves and water to a large pot.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover with a lid and simmer for 90 minutes.

Remove the lid and use the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash the apples and press the orange segments, releasing their juices.

Cover and continue simmering for another 60 to 75 minutes.

Carefully strain out the solids using a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or both for extra smoothness. Return the liquid to the pot.

Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Taste and adjust, adding more sugar if you prefer it sweeter. Each batch will vary, depending on the sweetness of the apples.

Serve. Pour into mugs and enjoy warm.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Apple Selection Strategy 🍎
Use a mix of tart apples (Granny Smith) and sweeter varieties (Fuji or Gala) to create complex flavor depth and natural sweetness balance without over-relying on brown sugar.
Whole Spice Toasting 🌟
Toast your cinnamon sticks and cloves in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before adding to the pot to unlock their essential oils and intensify their warm, aromatic flavors.
Citrus Peel Power 🍊
Don't discard orange peels—add them to the pot along with the fruit for added natural oils and complexity, then strain them out at the end for a more sophisticated taste.
Gentle Simmer, Not Boil 🫖
Keep your cider at a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil) for 45-60 minutes to extract maximum flavor from ingredients while preventing bitterness and volatile aroma loss.
Strain and Store Smart 🥄
Use cheesecloth for straining to achieve crystal-clear cider, and store in glass bottles in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze in ice cube trays for year-round use in beverages and desserts.