Description
This homemade apple cider recipe offers a warm, comforting drink made from fresh apples, oranges, and fragrant spices simmered to perfection. Sweetened with pure maple syrup or brown sugar and enhanced with vanilla extract, this cider is perfect for enjoying warm or chilled, with optional bourbon or rum for an adult twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Spices
- 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
Liquid and Sweetener
- 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 and cinnamon sticks
- Bourbon or rum (optional, 2 tablespoons per drink)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: In a very large stockpot, place the apples whole. Quarter the oranges, then remove the peels from one orange while leaving the peels on the second orange. Add both oranges to the pot along with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and any optional spices you are using.
- Add Water and Simmer: Cover the fruit and spices with water, ensuring at least 1½ inches of space at the top of the pot to prevent boiling over. Bring the mixture to a rapid simmer over high heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 2 hours until the apples and oranges are completely soft.
- Remove Orange Peels and Mash Fruit: Remove the orange sections with the peels on, leaving the peeled orange quarters in the pot. Using a potato masher or wooden spoon, mash the softened fruit against the bottom of the pot to release more flavor. Continue simmering the mixture uncovered for an additional hour to concentrate the flavors.
- Strain the Cider: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth placed over a large bowl. Press the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids after straining.
- Sweeten and Flavor: If desired, pour the strained cider back into the pot (after removing leftover solids). Stir in the maple syrup or brown sugar and vanilla extract. Warm gently while stirring until sweetener is dissolved and flavors combine. Taste and adjust sweetness adding more sweetener by 1 tablespoon increments if needed.
- Serve: Enjoy the cider warm or chilled. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. For an adult version, add 2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum per drink.
Notes
- This cider recipe uses fresh apples and a combination of warm spices for a rich, cozy flavor perfect for autumn or winter.
- Adjust sweetener to your taste based on the tartness of your apples.
- Optional spices like nutmeg, star anise, allspice, and black peppercorns add complexity and warmth to the cider.
- Serve warm for a comforting beverage or chilled for a refreshing fall drink.
- Add bourbon or rum for an adult cocktail variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 134 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 3 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
