Description
Classic homemade apple cider simmered with warming spices, creating a cozy beverage perfect for chilly days. This traditional recipe combines fresh apples with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel to infuse rich flavors, sweetened naturally with brown sugar or maple syrup. Serve hot to warm up or chilled for a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 8 apples, quartered
Liquids
- 12 cups water
Spices
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- Peel of 1 orange
Sweeteners
- 1/2 cup brown sugar or maple syrup, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Place the quartered apples, water, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and orange peel into a large pot.
- Bring to Boil and Simmer: Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 1½ to 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- Mash Apples: Using a potato masher or a large spoon, gently mash the apples in the pot to release more juice and flavor into the liquid.
- Strain Cider: Carefully strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl or another pot to remove solids and obtain a clear cider.
- Sweeten to Taste: Stir in brown sugar or maple syrup gradually, tasting as you go until you achieve your desired sweetness level.
- Serve: Pour the cider into mugs or glasses and serve hot to warm up or refrigerate and serve chilled for a refreshing beverage.
Notes
- Store the cider refrigerated for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave before serving warm again.
- Adjust sweetness as preferred; the cider can be made less or more sweet depending on taste.
- For a spicier cider, add more cinnamon sticks or cloves during simmering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
