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Invest 10 minutes of prep time and you can transform fresh apples into a classic Apple Cider. This big-batch homemade cider is a sensational party drink idea.
Table of Contents
Hot Apple Cider Recipe Ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Apples: Sweet Galas are my go-to for Apple Cider, but feel free to tailor your choice to your flavor preference. For sweeter results, you could also consider Fuji, Golden or Red Delicious, or Cortland. For more tartness, try Braeburn, McIntosh, Jonathan, or Pink Lady. No need to stick with just one variety; you can certainly mix any of the above apple varieties as desired.
- Oranges: The tart citrus element really amplifies the natural sweetness of the apples for a beautifully-balanced hot drink recipe.
How to make Apple Cider
- In a large stockpot over high heat, combine apples, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. Cover with water, leaving 1 to 1 ยฝ inches at the top of the stockpot.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until apples are completely soft, about 2 hours.
- Using a potato masher or large spoon, carefully press the apples and oranges against the sides of the stockpot to release their juices. Cover and continue to simmer until flavors meld, about 1 hour more.
- Strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a very large bowl, pressing the apples and oranges against the side of the strainer to release their juices. Discard solids.
- Return cider to the pot to keep warm and serve, garnish with cinnamon sticks and sliced oranges.
Make ahead instructions
Apple Cider can be made up to 4 days ahead; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then reheat in a large stock pot and enjoy.
How to make Hard Apple Cider
For the 21+ crowd, add a shot of brandy, whiskey, or dark rum to each mug. Or up the ante with Mulled Cider (boozy cider plus orange peel, brown sugar, and spices).
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe notes and tips
- Yield: This recipe makes 12 (1-cup) servings.
- Cook with your cider: Put any extra cider to great use in Apple Cider Donuts, Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider, or as a glaze for Cornish hens.
- Cider serving ideas: Garnish each glass with a thin apple slice, an orange wedge, a few cranberries, and/or a cinnamon stick.
Spiced Apple Cider Recipe storage
Allow the cider to come to room temperature, then store in an airtight container (such as this lid-topped pitcher) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Cool completely and transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container (leave 1/2-inch headspace for expansion) and freeze for up to 3 months. For Apple Cider ice cubes to add to cocktails or tea, freeze in an ice cube tray to pop out and use as needed (or to reheat and savor a smaller batch at a time).
Apple Cider Donuts
Overflowing with the flavors of fall, these homemade Apple Cider Donuts are baked, not fried, and then rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture for extra crunch. They are warmly spiced and the perfect chilly morning treat.
View Recipe
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Spiced Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredientsย
- 3 pounds medium apples stemed and quartered (about 10 to 12 apples)
- 2 oranges unpeeled and quartered
- 4 cinnamon sticks plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more to taste, if desired
- 12 to 16 cups water
- orange slices for garnish
Instructionsย
- In a large stockpot over high heat, combine apples, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. Cover with water, leaving an inch to an inch and a half space at the top of the stockpot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until apples are completely soft, about 2 hours.
- Using a potato masher or large spoon, carefully press the apples and oranges against the sides of the stockpot to release their juices. Cover and continue to simmer until flavors meld, about 1 hour more.
- Strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a very large bowl, pressing the apples and oranges against the side of the strainer to release their juices. Discard solids. Return cider to the pot to keep warm and serve, garnish with cinnamon sticks and sliced oranges.
Notes
- Apples: Sweet Galas are my go-to for Apple Cider, but feel free to tailor your choice to your flavor preference. For sweeter results, you could also consider Fuji, Golden or Red Delicious, or Cortland. For more tartness, try Braeburn, McIntosh, Jonathan, or Pink Lady. No need to stick with just one variety; you can certainly mix any of the above apple varieties as desired.
- Oranges: The tart citrus element really amplifies the natural sweetness of the apples for a beautifully-balanced hot drink recipe.
- Yield: This recipe makes 12 (1-c.) servings.
- Storage: Allow the cider to come to room temperature, then store in an airtight container (such as this lid-topped pitcher) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Make ahead: Apple Cider can be made up to 4 days ahead; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then reheat in a large stock pot and enjoy.
- Freezer: Cool completely and transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container (leave 1/2-inch headspace for expansion) and freeze for up to 3 months. For Apple Cider ice cubes to add to cocktails or tea, freeze in an ice cube tray to pop out and use as needed (or to reheat and savor a smaller batch at a time).
- Cook with your cider: Put any extra cider to great use in Apple Cider Donuts, Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider, or as a glaze for Cornish hens.
- Cider serving ideas: Garnish each glass with a thin apple slice, an orange wedge, a few cranberries, and/or a cinnamon stick.
- Spike it: For the 21+ crowd, add a shot of brandy, whiskey, or dark rum to each mug. Or up the ante with Mulled Cider (boozy cider plus orange peel, brown sugar, and spices).
Making apple cider is always been on my list of things Iโd like to do. Iโll try your recipe using my steam juicer for the first time. ๐ Thank you for sharing it.
Youโre so welcome, Belinda! I hope you love it! โ Meggan