Name: Homemade Apple Cider
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 7 min
Yield: 5 Servings
Cuisine: Other
Ingredients: 12 apples; 1 orange; 3 Cinnamon sticks; 2 teaspoons Whole Cloves; 1 tsp Allspice; 0.5 tsp Ginger; Honey

From the Cook

1/6

Homemade Apple Cider

Sunday Table Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

Stove top method: Wash the apples and oranges and cut them into quarters. Do not worry about taking out the cores or seeds. Place apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and ginger in a stock pot. Fill the pot with water until it is just covering the apples. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours. Once the apples are soft, use a potato masher to mash the apples and oranges. Continue cooking for one more hour. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing the apples to release the juices. A cheesecloth will produce less pulp, but I usually use a sieve for convenience. Serve hot and sweeten, if desired.

Crockpot method: Follow the same process, but cook the apples and oranges in a crockpot for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. After mashing the apples, let it cook for 1 more hour on low before straining.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
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Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Your Spices First 🔥
Lightly toast whole cloves, allspice, and cinnamon sticks in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before adding to the cider to unlock their essential oils and intensify their warm, complex flavors.
Use a Blend of Apple Varieties 🍎
Combine tart apples (like Granny Smith) with sweet varieties (like Honeycrisp) to create depth of flavor and natural acidity that balances the honey and spices perfectly.
Simmer Low and Slow ⏱️
Maintain a gentle simmer (around 190-200°F) for 45-60 minutes rather than a rolling boil to preserve delicate spice flavors and prevent the cider from becoming overly concentrated or bitter.
Strain Through Cheesecloth for Clarity 🧵
Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and strain the finished cider to remove pulp and spice particles, yielding a beautiful clear liquid with a refined presentation.
Infuse Orange Zest Separately 🍊
Add fresh orange zest in the final 5 minutes of simmering rather than at the start to preserve its bright, citrusy notes that can fade during extended cooking.