Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Hot Apple Cider is so soothing in the cooler months. Use a variety of apples for this homemade Cider Recipe with the perfect balance of sweetness and warm spices.
Ingredients
- 4 lbsapples (assorted variety (about 8-10 medium apples))
- 1 mediumorange (peeled and quartered)
- 3cinnamon sticks (or 1 tbsp ground cinnamon)
- 1 pinchnutmeg (or 1 whole nutmeg)
- 2 tspwhole cloves (or 1/2 tsp ground cloves)
- ½ cuppacked light brown sugar (plus more to taste (we used 3/4 cup total)*)
- 10 cupswater
Directions
- 1
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.
- 2
Add spices: cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add sugar and then pour in enough water to cover your fruit.*
- 3
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.
- 4
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.