Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Introduction

Homemade apple cider is a comforting and delicious fall classic that fills your home with warm, inviting aromas. This easy slow cooker recipe combines fresh apples and spices for a naturally sweet and flavorful drink perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 10 medium apples (use a variety—Honeycrisp and Granny Smith recommended)
• 1 orange, peeled and segmented
• 4 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons (75g) granulated sugar*
• Water, enough to cover the fruit

Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel the orange and place the segments in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Rinse the apples, cut them into quarters, and discard the cores. Add the apples to the slow cooker along with the cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, and sugar. Pour in just enough water to cover the fruit.
2. Step 2: Cover and cook on low heat for 6–7 hours, or on high heat for 4 hours. Low heat is preferred if available.
3. Step 3: Once the fruit is very soft, remove the cinnamon sticks using tongs or a slotted spoon. Mash the fruit with a sturdy spoon or potato masher. Return the cinnamon sticks to the slow cooker and cover again.
4. Step 4: Cook on low or high heat for an additional hour to infuse flavors.
5. Step 5: Slowly strain the chunky liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a large pot or heat-safe pitcher. Discard the solids. Strain the cider a second time to remove any remaining solids. Serve warm.
6. Step 6: Store leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days. Reheat on the stove before serving, or enjoy it chilled.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor and natural sweetness.
• Adjust sugar to taste or substitute with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness.
• Add a star anise or a few allspice berries for extra warm spice notes.
• For a thicker cider, reduce the liquid a bit longer on the stove after straining.

Storage

Store leftover cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. To reheat, warm the cider gently on the stove until hot but not boiling. It can also be enjoyed cold as a refreshing drink.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use any type of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any apples you have on hand, but a mix of sweet and tart varieties, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, creates the best flavor balance.

Is it necessary to strain the cider twice?

Straining twice helps ensure a smooth cider free of fruit pulp or solids, making it more pleasant to drink and giving it a clearer appearance.

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 71 reviews

• Author: Thomas
• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: About 8 cups (2 quarts) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This homemade apple cider recipe offers a warm, aromatic beverage made from a variety of fresh apples, orange, cinnamon, and cloves, slow-cooked to extract rich fall flavors. Sweetened lightly and perfect for cozy gatherings, this cider is naturally comforting and easy to prepare using a slow cooker.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit

• 10 medium apples (a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith recommended)
• 1 orange, peeled and segmented

Spices & Sweeteners

• 4 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons (75g) granulated sugar

Other

• Water (enough to cover the fruit in the slow cooker)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the fruit: Peel the orange and separate it into segments, then rinse the apples and cut them into quarters, discarding the cores. Place all the prepared fruit into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
2. Add spices and sugar: Add the cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, and granulated sugar to the slow cooker, distributing them evenly over the fruit.
3. Add water and start slow cooking: Pour in enough water to just cover the fruit mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high heat for 4 hours, with a preference for low heat if available.
4. Mash the softened fruit: Once the fruit is very soft, remove the cinnamon sticks with tongs or a slotted spoon. Using a large sturdy spoon or potato masher, mash the fruit directly in the slow cooker, then return the cinnamon sticks to the mixture and cover again.
5. Continue cooking: Cook the mashed mixture on low or high heat for an additional hour to allow flavors to meld.
6. Strain the cider: Slowly strain the chunky liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a large pot or heat-safe pitcher, pressing gently to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids and strain the cider one more time to ensure it’s smooth.
7. Serve and store: Serve the cider warm. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 5–7 days and reheat on the stove or enjoy cold.

Notes

• You can substitute cinnamon sticks with ground cinnamon if preferred, but sticks impart a more subtle spice.
• Adjust the sugar quantity to your taste or substitute with honey or maple syrup for different sweetness profiles.
• The variety of apples affects the cider’s flavor; combining sweet and tart apples balances the taste.
• Slow cooking on low heat enhances flavor extraction and sweetness from the fruit.
• If a slow cooker is not available, a large pot on low heat can be used with frequent stirring and careful monitoring.
• Reheating should be gentle to avoid burning the cider.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple cider, homemade cider, slow cooker cider, fall drinks, warm beverages, cinnamon cider, slow cooker recipes