Simple Apple Cider Recipe
As the cool weather settles in, my need for a warm beverage increases immensely. Here's one of my old-time favorites - Simple Apple Cider Recipe! Cozy, and lightly spiced, the perfect drink for the family and for entertaining!
I remember tasting my first apple cider in a quaint little store in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I walked in to buy candles, and there they had a huge pot of warm cider with a ladle. You could serve yourself in little cups as you browsed through the store. I can assure you - I mostly stayed by the pot! I was hooked from that day onwards.
Making apple cider at home is really so easy. It's as simple as cooking apples and spices with water in a pot! And while the stovetop apple cider is simmering, the whole house smells so incredibly warm and cozy!
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What Is Apple Cider
Apple cider is essentially unfiltered, the unsweetened, non-pasteurized liquid extracted from apples. It's a seasonal nonalcoholic drink, usually made in autumn and winter. This is not to be confused with the fermented, alcoholic version called cider or hard cider.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Making apple cider from scratch is incredibly easy - whether you make it on the stovetop or in a crock pot!
- It transforms your home into a fragrant haven of warm spices and sweet apples is pure magic.
- Imagine sipping on a cup of this cozy, homemade apple cider on a crisp autumn evening—it's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.
- The best part? It tastes absolutely divine, with a depth of flavor that store-bought versions just can’t match. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner!
Simple Apple Cider Recipe Ingredients
Apples- The star of the show! I used Red Delicious. But use any kind you like. A combination of sweet and tart apples is so good!
Orange- For a lovely zingy, citrusy flavor to the apple cider.
Cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves- These spices bring a wonderful warmth to the cider. You can also add fresh ginger, nutmeg, or allspice.
Brown sugar- You can also use granulated sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
Water- This is the liquid base of apple cider.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Simple Apple Cider
Making apple cider is a labor of love, just like this delicious stovetop apple butter. It does take time, but it hardly requires any supervision. While the apples and spices are brewing, the whole house is filled with the loveliest of aromas. Better than any potpourri. You immediately get warm and cozy vibes!
Step 1: Add the apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, cloves, and water to a large stockpot.
Step 2: Cover the pot and cook for about 2 hours on medium-low heat.
Step 3: Use a potato masher to mash all the fruits well.
Step 4: Add brown sugar and stir well.
Step 5: Cook the apple cider for another 30 minutes.
Step 6: Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture. Discard the pulp.
Step 7: Taste and adjust for sweetness.
Step 8: Serve warm!
How To Serve
You can serve the simple apple cider warm or cold. I love it warm, garnished with a slice of orange and star anise. It's so fabulous with a warm baked apple donut or a slice of moist apple bread, or a soft apple fritter cake.
It works fabulously well as a base for cocktails too, like this Apple Cider Hot Toddy. It's great with a splash of rum or bourbon is fantastic. Or use this to make a lovely nonalcoholic punch.
To serve the cider cold, let it come to room temperature, then transfer to a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate. This should stay well for 5-6 days.
Recipe FAQs
What kind of apples can I use?
You can use any variety of apples you like. You can even mix different varieties - sweet and tart for a wonderful flavor. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Braeburn are some of the apples you can pick from.
Do I need to add orange to this recipe?
Orange adds a zingy, citrusy flavor to the apple cider and complements the spices very well too.
Can I make cider in a crockpot?
Yes! Apple cider can be easily made in a crock pot, instant pot, or stove top as I did.
More Easy Beverage Recipes
Recipe
Simple Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 Apples
- 1 Orange
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 5-6 whole Cloves
- 1 Vanilla bean, split lengthways.
- 1/3 cup Brown sugar
- 50 oz Water
Instructions
- Slice the apples, remove the seeds. Slice the orange, remove the seeds.
- Add the apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean and cloves to a large stockpot.
- Add the water. Cover the pot and cook for about 2 hours on medium low heat.
- Use a potato masher to mash all the fruits well. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture. Discard the pulp.
- Add the brown sugar to sweeten the cider. Taste and adjust for sweetness.
- Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!
This apple cider recipe is such a favorite of ours. I make it on repeat in winters, we love it so much!