Description
This homemade apple cider recipe features fresh medium apples simmered with oranges, warming cinnamon sticks, cloves, and optional spices to create a comforting and aromatic drink. Sweetened with pure maple syrup or brown sugar and enhanced with a touch of vanilla, this cider is perfect served warm or chilled, optionally spiked with bourbon or rum for a cozy adult beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 10 to 12 medium apples
- 2 large oranges
- 4 to 5 cinnamon sticks (2- to 3-inches each)
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves (or 1 teaspoon ground cloves)
- Optional spices: 1 whole nutmeg, 1 star anise, 1 teaspoon allspice berries, and/or 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water (filtered if possible)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup (or packed dark brown sugar, plus additional to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Serving
- Apple slices
- Cinnamon sticks
- Bourbon or rum (optional, use 2 tablespoons per drink)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: In a very large stockpot, place the apples. Quarter the oranges, then remove the peels from one orange but leave the peels on the other. Add both oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and any optional spices to the pot.
- Add Water and Simmer: Pour in the water, making sure to leave at least 1 1/2 inches of open space at the top to allow for simmering without overflow. If your pot is smaller, add slightly less water while maintaining this gap. Bring the water to a rapid simmer over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and let simmer gently for 2 hours until the apples and oranges are very soft.
- Mash the Fruit: Using a potato masher or a wooden spoon, mash the softened fruit against the pot’s bottom to release more flavor, leaving peeled orange sections in but removing the orange with the peel on. Continue to simmer uncovered for an additional hour, allowing the cider to deepen in flavor and aroma your kitchen warmly.
- Strain the Cider: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids after pressing thoroughly.
- Sweeten and Finish: Return the strained cider to the pot, remove any remaining solids, then stir in the maple syrup or brown sugar and vanilla extract. Warm gently if desired, and taste to adjust the sweetness by adding more sweetener one tablespoon at a time, tailored to preference and apple tartness.
- Serve: Serve the cider warm or chilled. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks, and optionally add 2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum per drink for an adult version.
Notes
- This recipe creates the best easy apple cider from scratch using fresh apples and warm spices.
- The sweetness can be adjusted with maple syrup or brown sugar according to taste and apple tartness.
- Optional spices add complexity but can be omitted for a simpler flavor.
- Use filtered water if possible for a cleaner taste.
- The cider can be enjoyed warm or cold and works well spiked with bourbon or rum.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 134 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.001 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
