Hot Apple Cider Recipe
Homemade apple cider is irresistibly delicious, fresh, and tastes 10X better than anything you can buy at the store. It is super easy to make on the stovetop or slow cooker with the bonus of making your home smell amazing – no scented candle can compare! This apple cider recipe is ideal for entertaining because it is make ahead friendly, gluten-free, vegan and alcohol-free so all your guests can cozy up to a steaming hot mug. Enjoy this apple cider recipe hot or cold, with ginger ale, caramel, etc. as a slushy or float!
Servings 12 cups
Ingredients
- 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, quartered
- 4 (3-4-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled
- Optional spices: 1 star anise, 1 whole nutmeg (or ½ tsp ground), 1 teaspoon allspice berries, and/or 5 whole black peppercorns (I use all the spices)
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or packed brown sugar (I use half and half)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add ingredients to pot: 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.
- Add water: 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.)
- Simmer: 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.
- Mash: 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).
- Simmer again: Continue simmering, uncovered, for 1 additional hour.
- Strain: 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.
- Add sweetener: 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.
- Adjust to taste: 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.
- Serve: Enjoy the apple cider warm or chilled - see the post for all sorts of fun ways to serve!
Video
Notes
- Note: The pics/video show the oranges un-peeled, but they should be peeled for less bitterness.
- Slow cooker: Follow the same instructions, but add the ingredients to a large slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours. You may also cook on high for 3 hours, but low and slow is ideal.
- To store: Refrigerate cider in an airtight storage container (like glass jars, glass carafe or glass jug pitches) for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: Place apple cider in an airtight, freezer-safe container like freezer bags or tempered glass jars specifically labeled for freezing (like this). Even freezer-safe glass can crack as food expands, so take care to leave about 3/4-inch of space between the top of the cider and the lid. Label and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then serve chilled or warm on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Variations: See post for fun ways to serve!