Description
This homemade apple cider recipe delivers a warm and comforting beverage made from fresh apples, brown sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. Perfect for chilly days, it simmers slowly to extract rich flavors, resulting in a naturally sweet and fragrant cider to enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 10 medium apples, quartered
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 4 sticks cinnamon or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground allspice
- Enough water to cover apples by 2 inches
Instructions
- Prepare the apples and pot: Place the quartered apples in a large stockpot and add enough water to cover the apples by 2 inches once they are pushed down since apples naturally float.
- Add sweeteners and spices: Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon), and ground allspice into the pot with the apples and water.
- Boil the mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil uncovered and allow it to boil for 1 hour to extract the flavors from the apples and spices.
- Simmer the cider: After boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer gently for 2 hours to deepen the flavors.
- Strain the cider: Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then strain it through a cheesecloth-lined bowl or a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently on the solids to extract the liquid. Discard the solids and strain the liquid a second time for clarity.
- Serve and enjoy: Pour the hot or cooled cider into mugs and enjoy as is or warmed up again as a cozy seasonal drink.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more balanced cider flavor.
- If preferred, substitute cinnamon sticks with ground cinnamon, but add it near the end of cooking to preserve flavor.
- To make the cider spicier, consider adding whole cloves or a slice of fresh ginger to the simmer.
- Cider can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen for longer storage.
- For an adult version, add a splash of bourbon or rum when serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
