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
Scale
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
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.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
