Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (2024)

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The cooler weather is perfect for Homemade Apple Cider Recipe. It is easy to make and will make your house smell amazing.

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (1)

When I host the holidays at my house, I love making this Homemade Apple Cider Recipe. It makes my home smell amazing and perfect served with a cinnamon stick.

If you love to serve special drinks for holidays, make one of these Christmas Drinks. Check out these holiday drink recipes – Starbucks Peppermint Mocha or Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe.

Table of Contents

  • Why We Love This Recipe:
  • Ingredients:
  • Variations Ideas:
  • Step by Step Instructions:
  • Recipe Tips:
  • What are the Best Apples to Use:
  • Frequently Asked Questions:
  • More Easy Hot Drink Recipes:
  • Apple Cider Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe:

This homemade apple cider is the perfect Fall recipe. At the hint of cooler weather, I start making apple cider and it is so easy. Some people like coffee and hot chocolate, but I love homemade apple cider.

Combine you favorite apples and oranges with a few simple spices for a delicious drink. You can enjoy hot or cold and perfect with a slice of apple pie.

Ingredients:

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (2)
  • Medium Apples, assorted such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala
  • Oranges, peeled and sectioned
  • Whole Cloves
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Allspice
  • Whole Nutmeg
  • Water, about 16-20 cups
  • Brown Sugar, depending on taste

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe card.

Variations Ideas:

  • Maple Syrup – For added warm flavor, feel free to add in maple syrup.
  • Apple Cider co*cktails – For a delicious adult drink, add in a splash of bourbon or brandy for a spiked drink.
  • Fresh Ginger – If you love the flavor of ginger, feel free to add in more of this fresh spices.
  • Chai Tea Bag – I love the flavor of chai tea and adding a bag to my drink is a delicious treat.

Step by Step Instructions:

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Step 1 – Clean and cut apples and oranges. Add to large stockpot.

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (4)

Step 2 – Next, add the seasonings and mix with the fruit. Cover with water.

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Step 3 – Heat over high heat until simmering. Continue to simmer about 2 hours or until apples are very soft.

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Step 4 – Mash apples and oranges with a potato masher or large wooden spoon against the side of the pot. Cover and simmer for about 1 more hour. Then strain solids from cider and add in brown sugar.

Recipe Tips:

  • Serving – Serve warm, room temperature or chilled with apple slices and cinnamon stick, if desired. This is delicious hot or cold.
  • Straining Solids – Carefully strain solids from cider using a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve. Press solids against the strainer to release the juices.
  • Preparing Fruit – Slice the apples and leave the peel on. Make sure to add the orange slices to enhance the citrus flavor.
  • Simmer the Mixture – For the best results allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 hours. The fruit should be soft for the best flavor of cider.

What are the Best Apples to Use:

Feel free to use a variety of apples to make this Easy Apple Cider Recipe. We love to use a variety of tart apples for amazing flavor. These are some of our suggestions.

  • Pink Lady
  • McIntosh Apples
  • Fuji Apples
  • Golden Delicious
  • Red Delicious
  • Braeburn
  • Honey Crisp Apples
  • Cortland Tart Apples
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (7)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I Make in the Crock Pot?

Yes, this is a great idea when you are serving this apple cider recipe to a crowd. Just put everything in the slow cooker instant of the sauce pan. Cover and cook on low setting and let simmer for about 8 hours. Strain the solids as normal usinga cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, pressing solids against the strainer to release the juices. Then it ready to serve and enjoy.

How to Store Leftovers:

Store the leftovers in an airtight container or covered pitcher and place in the refrigerator. If stored properly it will stay fresh for up to a week.

How to Freeze:

Freezing apple cider is a great way to prepare for the holiday season. Pour the prepared cider in individual serving in a freezer safe container. Make sure to leave space at top as cider will expand as it freezes.

How Long does Apple Cider Last:

It needs to be refrigerated and it should last up to 2 weeks.

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (8)

More Easy Hot Drink Recipes:

  • Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
  • Christmas Hot Chocolate
  • Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

We love hearing from you. If you make this easy apple cider recipe, make sure to leave us a comment.

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (9)

Review

Pin Print

Apple Cider

5 from 5 votes

The cooler weather is perfect for Homemade apple cider recipe. It is easy to make and will make your house smell amazing. Homemade apple cider is delicious.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 10

Cuisine American

Course Beverage

Calories 155

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 10-12 medium apples assorted such as Granny Smith Honeycrisp, Gala
  • 2 oranges peeled and sectioned
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 whole nutmeg
  • Water about 16-20 cups
  • ½ to 1 cup brown sugar depending on taste

Instructions

  • Clean and cut apples and oranges

  • Add to large stockpot

  • Add seasonings

  • Cover with water

  • Heat over high heat until simmering

  • Continue to simmer about 2 hours or until apples are very soft

  • Mash apples and oranges with a potato masher or large wooden spoon against the side of the pot

  • Cover and simmer for about 1 more hour

  • Carefully strain solids from cider using a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, pressing solids against the strainer to release the juices

  • Discard the solids

  • Add brown sugar to taste

  • Serve warm, room temperature or chilled with apple slices and cinnamon stick, if desired

Nutrition Facts

Calories 155kcal, Carbohydrates 41g, Protein 1g, Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 1g, Sodium 6mg, Potassium 263mg, Fiber 6g, Sugar 32g, Vitamin A 157IU, Vitamin C 22mg, Calcium 48mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (18)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of alcohol do you put in apple cider? ›

12 Liquors To Mix With Apple Cider
  • Bourbon and whiskey. Valentyn Volkov/Shutterstock. ...
  • Spiced rum. OLOZANO/Shutterstock. ...
  • Vodka. Igor Dudchak/Getty Images. ...
  • Sparkling wine. Jasmina81/Getty Images. ...
  • RumChata. The Image Party/Shutterstock. ...
  • Drambuie. Jenari/Shutterstock. ...
  • Orange liqueur. ArDanMe/Shutterstock. ...
  • Raspberry liqueur.
Dec 2, 2023

How long does homemade apple cider last? ›

Apple cider will stay good in your refrigerator for 2 weeks. Be sure to let it cool down completely before storing in an airtight container and popping it in the refrigerator.

Is homemade apple cider alcoholic? ›

Fresh apple cider doesn't contain alcohol. It's possible for unpasteurized cider to ferment over time and become alcoholic, creating hard apple cider. If you don't want your cider to become alcoholic, then it's best to drink it within two weeks of making it.

Can you make cider from normal apples? ›

You could make cider out of any apple. A large proportion of commercially produced ciders are made from everyday cooking apples such as Bramleys, or all-purpose apples like James Grieve.

Do you need to add yeast to make cider? ›

There are essentially 2 simple ways to make cider. One is to add campden tablets to the juice to remove any bad bacterial that may spoil the whole batch. Then 24 hours later, add cider yeast. The alternative way is to not add campden or yeast, and leave the juice to do its own thing.

What can I add to apple cider to make it taste better? ›

Oranges. Oranges add a sweet, citrus flavor that acts as a perfect complement to the apples and spices. Cinnamon Sticks. Impart the delicious, warm, and cozy flavor of cinnamon into your delicious homemade apple cider recipe.

Is cider healthier than apple juice? ›

Cider contains more of apples' polyphenol compounds than clear commercial apple juice. Fresh cider from cider apples may contain from two to four times the amount of these healthful compounds compared to clear commercial apple juice because of the apple varieties used and the extra processing to make clear juice.

Why is my apple cider so fizzy? ›

After several weeks, depending on storage conditions, cider develops a slight fizz that is the result of natural fermentation. According to cider makers, many older folks like fizzy cider while younger consumers do not. Regardless, it's safe to drink, but may contain traces of alcohol.

What to do with apple pulp after making cider? ›

What to do with your apple pomace after cider making
  1. Make Ciderkin. Get more out of your apples by making this delicately sweet, traditional beverage. ...
  2. Compost the pomace. ...
  3. Feed it to your animals. ...
  4. Feed it to wildlife.
Jun 13, 2022

How long does it take for apple cider to turn into alcohol? ›

At room temperature and without added sugar, 4–5 days. If it's colder, or if you've added more sugar (to boost the alcohol), it could take weeks or even months. Generally, even refrigerated cider will begin fermenting noticeably within a week or two, unless it has preservatives in it to prevent microbial growth.

How long until apple cider becomes alcoholic? ›

Fermentation will usually take three to six weeks, depending on temperature and yeast, and once it has ceased, immediately siphon the cider off the sediment into a clean fermenter. Repeat this process after a few weeks or when another sediment has formed.

How do I turn apple cider into hard cider? ›

Simply put, you make hard cider by adding yeast to apple cider under sanitized conditions, until the yeast converts the sugars into alcohol.

How is apple cider made step by step? ›

Make your own apple cider in 8 steps
  1. Gather your ingredients and materials. ...
  2. Cleaning: ensure that all equipment is clean before you begin. ...
  3. Collecting apples, cleaning and pulping. ...
  4. Squeezing the pulp and measuring SG. ...
  5. Fermentation. ...
  6. Clarifying and siphoning. ...
  7. Bottling and secondary fermentation. ...
  8. Lagering and serving.

Should you wash apples before making cider? ›

In order to remove any unwanted muck, insects and harmful bacteria that could potentially harm and affect the cider, the apples should be washed thoroughly. Washing apples may be best done outside using a large bucket, tub, anything big enough to hold your apples. Fill your vessel with water soak and wash the apples.

What apple is best for homemade cider? ›

The apple varieties that we generally find in stores and that are used for the making of modern-style ciders include McIntosh, Golden and Red Delicious, Goldrush, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Idared, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Gala, and Fuji.

How many apples does it take to make a glass of cider? ›

It take about 3-6 medium sized pressed apples to make an 8 oz cup of cider.

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