Drinks

Warm & Delicious Homemade Apple Cider

4.80 from 15 votes
Fall means apples. Fall means spices. Fall means making my incredible Homemade Apple Cider recipe and cozying up in the warm, fruity flavor!

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Homemade Apple Cider is the perfect way to use up all those delicious in-season apples you may have gotten a little overzealous collecting at an orchard! 

There are so many wonderful parts to this fall recipe — it’s made with all fresh, natural ingredients, it smells like heaven and fills your whole house with a warm cinnamony apple scent, and it is so easy!

Another bonus? This homemade apple cider recipe keeps perfectly in the freezer for up to 2 months, meaning less work around the holidays! And there’s nothing wrong with adding a little splash of whiskey for a fun holiday cocktail!

Homemade Apple Cider ingredients in a pot before cooking.

The Difference Between Apple Cider And Apple Juice

They’re both drinks made out of apples, so what is the difference between cider and apple juice? The answer is how they are prepared. 

This cider is made from mashed apples that are then pressed through a cloth to make fresh juice. It’s a bit cloudy and has excellent sweet and tart flavors. 

Apple juice is filtered to remove any pulp and then pasteurized, which is why it can remain on the shelf for so long. 

Use These Apples For Homemade Apple Cider

The good news is you don’t need expensive, fancy apples to make a delicious cider. I like to use Granny Smith apples because I find they add a really delightful tartness to brighten the sweetness and the spices used in this recipe. But you can use whatever you love.

Homemade Apple Cider after cooking for hours.

What You Need To Make Homemade Apple Cider

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Large Saucepan
  • Large Pot
  • Potato Masher or Wooden Spoon
  • Fine Strainer
  • Thin Tea Towel or Cheesecloth

How To Make Homemade Apple Cider

I promise you’ll never buy a gallon of cider again after you realize just how simple making apple cider is! This recipe will definitely become a new fall tradition for you and your family. 

  1. Add apples, orange, spices, and brown sugar into a large saucepan over medium heat. Pour in water, cover with a lid, and bring to a simmer. Allow it to simmer steadily for 2 hours. 
  2. After 2 hours, remove the oranges and use either a potato masher or wooden spoon to mash the apples. Bring it back to a simmer, uncovered, for 1 more hour.
  3. Place a fine strainer over a large pot and line it with either a thin tea towel or cheesecloth. Pass the apple mash through the strainer, pressing on the solids with your spoon, to make sure you get all the juices out. Throw away the solids. 
  4. Serve the apple cider warm — but it’s delicious cold too!

The perfect cup of homemade apple cider.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Homemade Apple Cider

  • Freeze it for up to 2 months.
  • Keep the cider warm in a crockpot for hours to enjoy throughout the day.
  • Make your own brown sugar!
  • Use a tea towel or cheesecloth to strain the cider.
  • Add a splash of whiskey for a warming, delicious cocktail. Or make it a delicious dessert by adding some caramel sauce and top with whipped cream. 

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Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

4.80 from 15 votes
Fall means apples. Fall means spices. Fall means making my incredible Homemade Apple Cider recipe and cozying up in the warm, fruity flavor!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 2 quarts
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Fall means apples. Fall means spices. Fall means making my incredible Homemade Apple Cider recipe and cozying up in the warm, fruity flavor!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 2 quarts

Ingredients

  • 10 large apples quartered
  • ½ medium orange halved
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice
  • 1 whole nutmeg
  • ½ cup (3oz/85g) brown sugar
  • 3 quarts (3 litres) water

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, add apples, orange, spices, and brown sugar. Pour over the water, cover with a lid and bring to a simmer. Simmer steadily, covered for 2 full hours.
  • After the 2 hours, remove the pieces of orange and then use a potato masher or wooden spoon to mash the apples. Return to a simmer, uncovered, and let simmer for 1 hour more.
  • Place a fine strainer over a large pot. Lay a thin tea towel or cheesecloth in the strainer. Pass the apple mash through the strainer, pressing on solids with a wooden spoon to squeeze all juices out. Discard solids.
  • Serve apple cider warm on a cold fall day. Irish it up with a drop of whiskey. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. It will also keep well frozen for up to 2 months.
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Paula Boyle
Paula Boyle
3 years ago

I can’t wait to make this ! I’m currently making salted caramel vodka to put in apple cider for a cocktail , for gifting this year !

Jim Kohler
Jim Kohler
3 years ago

Hi Gemma,
Would this not be easier/quicker to make this in a pressure cooker?
Jim.

Sumana
Sumana
3 years ago

I never knew it was this simple. Going to try once oranges come onto the market later this year…

Katy255
Katy255
5 months ago

Hi Gemma,
I tried it today and it is amazing! So flavorful! My 4 year old son said that this is his favorite drink ever 😊
I used 2 little mandarins since I didn’t have orange on hand and it came out so good.
Thank you for an easy yummy recipe.

Doreen
Doreen
1 year ago

Hi Gemma. I’m looking forward to making this for Christy. In your recipe you call for a half an orange “halved.” Was that a mistake? Basically do I use half of an orange or a quarter of an orange? Thank you!

Meena Makkar
Meena Makkar
2 years ago

Is this the same as apple cider vinegar

Janet Ball
Janet Ball
2 years ago

where do I get the recipe for the salted caramel vodka please? My idea of heaven

Kim
Kim
3 years ago

Hi gemma,I just copied your apple cider recipe and I am going to make it at home soon

Francyla vaz
Francyla vaz
3 years ago

Hi Gemma,
Greetings from Goa, India !
I don’t have whole allspice, but I make my allspice powder with d required spices. So how much of the allspice powder should I use in this receipe ?

Mary MacLean
Mary MacLean
3 years ago

Hi Gemma, can you use a pressure cooker for the first half of the recipe and would you reduce the liquid?

About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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