5.0 from 36 votes
Apple Cider Recipe
This easy apple cider will fill your house with a cozy aroma and is the perfect drink for a chilly day.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 125 kcal
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
American , British
Ingredients
- 1 orange (140g)
- 10 apples (about 4 pounds, 1.3kg)
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons whole allspice
- 1 whole nutmeg
- ½ cup brown sugar (110g)
- 10 cups water (2.36L), or enough to cover the apple mixture by 1-inch
Instructions
- Wash the orange and apples. Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to cut four strips of orange zest (just the orange skin.) Peel the remaining white pith from the orange then cut the orange flesh into pieces. Core the apples and cut them into quarters.
- Add the apples and orange along with the strips of orange zest into a large pot (at least 8 quarts.) Sprinkle the brown sugar over top and add the cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg. Cover with the water.
- Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot partially with a lid. Cook at a low boil for about 1 hour or until the apples are very soft.
- Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash the apples and orange. Cook over medium-low heat for one more hour, partially covered.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing against the solids to extract as much cider as possible.
- Enjoy warm or chilled. Cool down and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- There is no need to peel your apples. Leaving the apple peels on will save a lot of time!
- Use additional spices: This recipe can be dressed up with slices of fresh ginger or other spices you enjoy, like star anise, whole cardamom, and even a bit of black pepper.
- Use other sweeteners: You can replace the brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or regular granulated sugar. After cooking and straining your homemade cider, have a taste and add more sweetener if needed.
- If you don’t have a fine mesh sieve, place a single piece of cheesecloth over a colander to strain.
- Serving idea: Garnish cups of cider with a cinnamon stick or orange slice.
- Make it boozy: Spike individual servings of warm apple cider with rum, brandy, or bourbon.
- Bake with it: Use it to make my perfect apple cider donuts!
Nutrition Information
Calories
125kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
33g
(11%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
0.4g
(1%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.03g
Trans Fat
0.001g
Sodium
15mg
(1%)
Potassium
210mg
(6%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
26g
(52%)
Vitamin A
115IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
13mg
(14%)
Calcium
45mg
(5%)
Iron
0.4mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 125
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 125kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 0.4g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Sodium | 15mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 210mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 26g | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 115IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 45mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.