If you love cozy, fall-inspired drinks as much as I do, then this Homemade Apple Cider Recipe is going to be your new favorite. It’s warming, fragrant, and perfectly sweetened – everything you want from a cider but without the fuss of store-bought additives. Trust me, once you make this at home, you’ll never go back to the carton cider again!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple, Real Ingredients: Using fresh apples and spices means no weird preservatives, which gives you that pure, authentic cider flavor.
Slow Cooking Method: The long simmer allows the apples and spices to really develop a deep, rich taste you won’t find in instant recipes.
Flexible & Adaptable: You can tweak the sweetness and spice levels easily to suit your own taste buds perfectly.
Comfort in Every Sip: This cider brings that nostalgic warmth of fall right to your cup – cozy and comforting, every single time.

Homemade Apple Cider, fall-inspired drinks, apple cider recipe, homemade apple beverage, cozy fall drinks - A clear glass cup with a handle is shown being filled with a light brown liquid that has a cinnamon stick inside. The liquid is pouring from above, creating bubbles and motion near the bottom of the cup. Behind the cup, there is a glass container with more of the same light brown liquid. In the background, a red apple rests slightly out of focus. The setting appears on a wooden surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Homemade Apple Cider Recipe plays a special role to build a perfect balance of flavors. Picking the right apples and spices can make all the difference, so here’s what I use and why.

Homemade Apple Cider, fall-inspired drinks, apple cider recipe, homemade apple beverage, cozy fall drinks - Flat lay of ten fresh quartered red and green apples, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown packed sugar, four whole cinnamon sticks neatly arranged, and a small white ceramic bowl containing ground allspice, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apples: I like using a mix of sweet and tart apples to create complexity—think Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds just enough sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples.
Cinnamon sticks: Fresh cinnamon sticks infuse warm spice notes slowly during simmering – ground cinnamon works if you’re in a pinch!
Ground Allspice: This gives the cider a little extra warmth and depth, complementing the cinnamon without overpowering it.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

This is a recipe that’s all about your preferences—whether you want it sweeter, spicier, or even alcohol-infused. I love experimenting with little tweaks, and you’ll enjoy making it your own, too.

Extra Spice Kick: Once, I added star anise and cloves for a more “holiday” vibe, and it turned into cider heaven.
Less Sweet: If you prefer a tart cider, cut down the brown sugar, especially if your apple variety is already quite sweet.
Adult Version: Stir in a splash of bourbon or rum after simmering for a festive morning pick-me-up.
Vegan Swap: Just double-check your brown sugar is vegan or switch to maple syrup for a different but delicious sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Submerge the Apples

Start by quartering about 10 medium apples—no need to peel or core them since everything gets strained later. Place them in a large stockpot and pour in enough water to cover the apples by about 2 inches once they’re pushed down. Since they float, gently press them with a spoon to fully submerge.

Step 2: Sweeten and Spice It Up

Stir in ½ cup of packed light brown sugar, 4 cinnamon sticks (or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon), and a tablespoon of ground allspice. The brown sugar dissolves quickly, lending that lovely caramel taste, while the cinnamon and allspice fill the kitchen with amazing scents.

Step 3: Bring to a Boil and Simmer Slowly

Bring the pot to a boil uncovered and let it bubble away for an hour. This step cooks down the apples and starts breaking them apart. After that, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 2 more hours. This slow simmer is where magic happens—you’ll notice the flavors deepen and mingle beautifully.

Step 4: Strain and Savor

Once done, allow the mixture to cool a bit for easier handling. Then strain it through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve into a large bowl, gently pressing down the solids to extract every drop of juice. If you want extra clarity, strain it a second time. The leftover pulp can be tossed or composted—no waste here.

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Choose a Mix of Apples: Combining sweet and tart apples gives your cider a rich, balanced flavor profile that feels far more complex than using just one variety.
Don’t Skip the Simmer: That slow simmer after boiling is what mellows out the acidity and lets the spices fully marry with the apple juices.
Use Cheesecloth for Straining: It’s worth the extra effort—your cider will be silky smooth without any pulp or grit.
Watch the Water Level: Keep an eye on your pot so the water doesn’t evaporate too much and burn the cider; add a bit of hot water during simmering if needed.

How to Serve Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Homemade Apple Cider, fall-inspired drinks, apple cider recipe, homemade apple beverage, cozy fall drinks - A clear glass cup filled with light brown warm apple cider sits on a wooden surface. The cider has a smooth, slightly cloudy texture and a cinnamon stick stands upright in the middle of the cup. In the background, blurred to the right side, are two whole apples with red and yellow skin. Another glass cup filled with cider is behind the first cup, partly visible. Two cinnamon sticks lay flat on the left side of the wooden surface. The scene is bright and cozy, with a focus on the warm drink and its simple autumn ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love garnishing my warm cider with a cinnamon stick and a slice of fresh apple—not only do they look cute, but they keep adding little bursts of spice and apple aroma as you sip. Sometimes I’ll even float a star anise or two for an extra festive touch.

Side Dishes

This cider pairs so well with simple autumn treats like spiced pumpkin muffins or cheddar cheese biscuits. It also makes a great palate cleanser alongside a cozy grilled cheese sandwich or roasted nut mix.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to serve this cider in clear glass mugs layered with dried apple rings and orange slices in the pot while simmering to add visual charm and citrusy notes. You could also pour it into a punch bowl with floating cranberries for a showstopper.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I pour leftover cider into a glass jar or airtight bottle and store it in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to a week, though I can rarely keep it that long because it disappears fast!

Freezing

I sometimes freeze cider in ice cube trays—perfect if you want to chill drinks without watering them down or to add flavor to recipes later on. Just thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to use.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave—just warm it up enough to enjoy it hot but avoid boiling again, which can dull the delicate spice flavors. Adding a fresh cinnamon stick while reheating can refresh the aroma.

FAQs

Can I use any type of apples for the Homemade Apple Cider Recipe?

Absolutely! While a mix of sweet and tart apples creates the best balance, you can use whatever you have on hand. Just know that sweeter apples will make sweeter cider, while tart apples add a nice zing.
How long does homemade apple cider last?

Stored properly in the fridge in an airtight container, homemade cider stays fresh for up to 7 days. Always give it a sniff and taste before reheating, just to be safe.
Can I make this cider ahead for a party?

Yes! This cider can be made up to 2 days in advance. Just reheat gently before serving. You can also prepare the apple and spice mixture and freeze it, then simmer fresh when needed.
Is it okay to use ground cinnamon instead of sticks?

Definitely! Ground cinnamon works fine, just add it with the other spices so it infuses throughout cooking. The flavor will be a bit more intense and less subtle than sticks, so adjust quantity accordingly.
What’s the best way to strain the cider?

I always recommend using cheesecloth and a fine-mesh sieve for the smoothest cider. Gently pressing the solids helps you squeeze out more liquid without making it cloudy or gritty.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Apple Cider Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart—it’s the kind of drink that warms you up from the inside out and fills your home with that unmistakable autumn aroma. Whether you’re sipping solo on a crisp morning or sharing with friends around a fire, I can’t recommend making it enough. Give it a try, and I’m pretty sure it’ll become one of your go-to cozy comforts too.

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: Madison
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This homemade apple cider recipe is a cozy and delicious drink made by simmering fresh apples with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. Perfect for fall gatherings or a warming beverage on a chilly day, this cider is naturally sweetened with brown sugar and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Ingredients

Apple Cider 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

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Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Place the quartered apples in a large stockpot and add enough water to cover them by 2 inches when submerged by pushing down, as the apples will float.
Add Sweeteners and Spices: Stir in the packed light brown sugar, cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon), and ground allspice into the pot with the apples.
Boil the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil uncovered and let it boil for 1 hour to extract flavors from the apples and spices.
Simmer the Cider: After boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it simmer gently for 2 hours to deepen the flavors.
Strain the Cider: Let the mixture cool slightly, then strain it through a cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing down gently on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids and strain the liquid once more through the cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve for a clear cider.
Serve: Serve the cider warm or chill it for later enjoyment. Optionally, garnish with cinnamon sticks or apple slices if desired.

Notes

Using a variety of apples can add depth of flavor to the cider; a mix of sweet and tart apples works best.
If you prefer a spicier cider, increase the cinnamon or add a few cloves or nutmeg.
For a stronger cider, simmer longer or mash some of the apples during cooking to release more juice.
Store leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; reheat gently before serving.
To make this cider vegan and vegetarian friendly, ensure brown sugar is unrefined and not bleached with bone char.