Description
Warm or chilled homemade apple cider bursting with flavor from fresh apples and spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 to 12 medium apples, quartered with peels and seeds (use a mix like Granny Smith, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala etc.)
- 2 ripe large oranges, peeled and quartered
- 4 (3-4-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1 whole nutmeg (or ½ tsp ground, optional)
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries (optional)
- 5 whole black peppercorns (optional)
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- ½ cup pure maple syrup or packed brown sugar (I use half and half)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add quartered apples, quartered peeled oranges, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and any optional spices to a very large stockpot. 12 quarts is ideal; however, you can use a smaller pot. Note: The pics/video show the oranges un-peeled, but they should be peeled for less bitterness.
- If using a large enough pot, add the full gallon of water; otherwise, fill the pot, leaving 1 1/2 – 2 inches of space at the top for the cider to simmer. (You’ll add the rest of the water later.)
- Cover, and bring the water to a simmer over high heat. Once rapidly simmering, reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the fruit is very soft.
- Once soft, use a potato masher to mash up the fruit. (Use a wooden spoon and press the fruit on the side of the pot if you don’t have a masher).
- Continue simmering, uncovered, for 1 additional hour.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a very large bowl (use two bowls as needed). Using a ladle, spoon the cider into the strainer in batches and press down on the solids to release as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Return the strained cider to the now empty pot. Add additional hot water if you didn’t add the full gallon before. Add the maple syrup and/or brown sugar and vanilla and stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired, 1 tablespoon of sweetener at a time (the amount needed will vary based on personal preference, sweetness of apples and sweetness of oranges). Season with ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves and/or ground nutmeg a pinch at a time as desired.
- Enjoy the apple cider warm or chilled – see the post for all sorts of fun ways to serve!
Notes
- Using a mix of apple varieties enhances the flavor of the cider.
- Peel the oranges to reduce bitterness.
- Feel free to customize the spices based on your preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg