Homemade Apple Cider
This Homemade Apple Cider is made from scratch, tastes delicious, smells heavenly, and tastes even better. You can easily make it on the stovetop without any fancy equipment.
Why This Apple Cider Recipe Stands Out
There’s nothing like a warm cup of apple cider to make you feel cozy during the fall and winter months. Here’s why we love it:
- Simple, Natural Ingredients: This recipe uses simple, natural ingredients that you can feel good about.
- Control the Sweetness: By making your own apple cider, you can control the amount of sugar that goes into it.
- Add Your Favorite Spices: You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite spices.
- Better than Store-Bought: Once you try this homemade apple cider, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought version!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Apples – We used a mix of red and green apples, which adds a nice depth of flavor to the cider.
- Oranges and Lime – The citrusy flavors of the orange and lime add a refreshing twist to the cider.
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove powder, star anise) – This blend of spices is what gives our cider its warm, cozy flavor.
- Sugar – This is what sweetens the cider, making it the perfect drink for a chilly day.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Fruit: While we used a mix of red and green apples, feel free to use any variety you like. You can also try adding in some pears for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Citrus: If you don’t have an orange or lime on hand, you can omit them or substitute them with a lemon.
- Sweetness: If you prefer your cider less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar or omit it altogether. Alternatively, if you have a sweet tooth, you can increase the amount of sugar.
How to Make Apple Cider
Step 1
Add all ingredients to a large pan and stir. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Step 2
After cooking, mash the mixture with a potato masher or spatula. Strain the liquid and chill for at least an hour.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at some of our favorite prep-ahead tips for this homemade apple cider:
- Chop the Ingredients: You can peel and chop the apples, orange, and lime in advance. Store the chopped fruit in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Make Ahead: This apple cider can be made a few days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Just dilute it with water before serving.
What To Serve With Homemade Apple Cider
Breakfast
- Start your morning with a cup of warm homemade apple cider. It’s a great alternative to coffee, and the aroma will make your kitchen smell amazing.
- Pair it with a stack of fluffy sour cream pancakes or a bowl of pumpkin pie spice granola for a cozy fall breakfast.
Lunch
- Homemade apple cider is the perfect accompaniment to a classic chicken salad sandwich.
- It also pairs well with a hearty soup or chili. Try it with a bowl of butternut squash soup or a spicy vegetarian chili for a delicious lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of apple for this recipe. We used 4 red apples and 1 green apple, but feel free to use your favorite variety. Different types of apples will give your cider a unique flavor, so don’t be afraid to mix and match!
After straining the mixture, the fruit will have lost most of its flavor, so we don’t recommend reusing it. However, you can save the cinnamon sticks and star anise to use as garnishes for your cider when serving.
Homemade apple cider can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week. After that, it’s best to discard any remaining cider and make a fresh batch.
Related Recipes
- Iced Sorrel Tea – This simple Sorrel Tea recipe, also known as Hibiscus Tea, is perfectly refreshing, deliciously tangy, and packed with citrus flavor.
- Ginger Iced Tea – Nothing beats the heat like a chilled glass of ginger iced tea. It’s a soothing, bold drink with a zesty kick
- Iced Green Tea – You’ll need 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes to make Iced Green Tea and enjoy it all Summer.
- Southern Iced Tea – This refreshing Southern Iced Tea recipe is perfect for getting that Southern sweet tea fix!
Please Review and Rate
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Homemade Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 4 Apples peeled and chopped I used 4 red and 1 green
- 1 orange peeled and cut in half
- 1 lime peeled and cut in half
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon clove powder
- 1 star anise
- 7 cups water
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cup chilled water to dilute the cider after it’s made
Instructions
- In a large pan, add all the ingredients and stir for one minute.
- Cook on high heat until it comes to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low heat and let the mixture cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Using a potato masher or the back of a spatula mash the mixture.
- Strain the mixture using a sieve or a cheesecloth.
- Pour the cider into a pitcher and add 1 ½ cup chilled water. Place in the fridge for at least an hour.
- Serve with ice.
Notes
- Select a mix of sweet and tart apples for a well-balanced flavor. This can include varieties such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala apples.
- Don’t skip the citrus fruits. Oranges and limes not only add a refreshing tang but also help balance the sweetness of the apples.
- Feel free to adjust the sugar and spice levels to suit your personal preference. This allows you to make the apple cider as sweet or as spiced as you like.
- Consider wrapping the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth. This makes it easier to remove them after cooking and prevents the spices from overpowering the cider.
- After straining the mixture, don’t throw away the solids! They can be used as a flavorful topping for oatmeal, and yogurt, or even as a filling for pies.
- Chilling the cider for at least an hour before serving is key. This allows the flavors to meld together and results in a more refreshing drink.
- Serve your homemade apple cider with ice for a crisp, cool drink that’s perfect for any occasion.
