Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
User Reviews
5
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Description
The Homemade Apple Cider Recipe uses about 8–10 medium assorted apples, quartered and cored but unpeeled, combined with peeled orange quarters and whole or ground warming spices including cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves. Light brown sugar is added for sweetness. The mixture is covered with water and brought to a boil, then simmered uncovered and later covered for several hours to extract flavors and develop a rich amber color.
After cooking, the cider is strained through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, extracting as much juice as possible while discarding the fruit pulp. The strained cider can be served hot, and sweetness or spice level can be adjusted by adding more sugar or hot water as needed.
This cider is a comforting seasonal drink with the natural sweetness and aromatic spices providing a balanced warmth, suitable for serving warm during cool weather. The recipe accepts flexibility in sweetener choice and water quantity to customize flavor concentration and sweetness.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs apple assorted variety (about 8-10 medium apples
- 1 orange peeled and quartered, medium
- 3 cinnamon stick or 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 nutmeg or 1 whole nutmeg, pinch
- 2 tsp clove or 1/2 tsp ground cloves, whole
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar plus more to taste (we used 3/4 cup total, packed
- 10 to 11 cups water
Instructions
- Core and roughly chop your apples (no need to peel). Place them in a large pot, at least 5 1/2 quarts. Quarter your orange and add it to the pot.
- Add spices: cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add sugar and then pour in enough water to cover your fruit.*
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium heat and lightly boil uncovered for 1 hour. Reduce heat to medium/low heat, cover, and simmer for another 2 hours. The juice should begin to turn amber in color when it's finished. Add more sugar and hot water to taste. It should be sweet and spicy.
- Strain your cider through a fine mesh strainer or through a cheesecloth placed over a regular colander, into a large bowl or punch bowl. Squeeze to extract as much juice as possible and discard the fruit pulp. Serve hot.
Notes
- Add remaining water later if your pot cannot hold full 11 cups at start, then dilute cider after cooking as needed.
- Sweetness can be adjusted with preferred sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or granulated sugar added to taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings (makes 1/2 gallon)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 146 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 146kcal | 7% |
| Carbs | 38g | |
| 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 | 17mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 239mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
| Vitamin A | 131IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 44mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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