Description
Homemade Apple Cider is a cozy, spiced beverage made with fresh apples, oranges, cinnamon, and cloves, slowly simmered to release natural sweetness and deep autumn flavors. Perfect for fall gatherings, holiday parties, or sipping by the fire, this warm and fragrant cider can be served hot or chilled and is easy to prepare in a slow cooker or stovetop.
Ingredients
10 medium apples (a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith recommended)
1 orange, peeled and segmented
4 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
6 tablespoons (75 g) granulated sugar, or to taste
Water (enough to cover fruit in slow cooker)
Instructions
- Place orange segments and quartered apples into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and sugar. Pour in enough water to cover the fruit.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours (or high for 4 hours).
- Remove cinnamon sticks, mash the fruit, then return the sticks and cook for 1 more hour.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large pot or pitcher, discarding solids. Strain again for a smoother cider.
- Serve warm or refrigerate for later use.
Notes
- A mix of tart and sweet apples creates the best flavor balance.
- Sweeten with maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar instead of granulated sugar if desired.
- Add fresh ginger slices, star anise, or nutmeg for extra spice.
- For an adult version, spike with bourbon, rum, or brandy before serving.
- Strain twice for a smoother cider with fewer pulp bits.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7–8 hours (slow cooker, low setting)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
