With the crisp temperatures and ruby leaves covering my backyard, it feels like fall around here. We even had our first snow last weekend, which means my fireplace is starting to stretch its muscles after the summer hiatus, and I've been enjoying a few favorite Halloween movies in my downtime. Given all these favorite fall happenings, it feels like a good time to get cozy with a steamy mug of homemade apple cider.
Although I'm usually in a funk at the end of summer, I finally find myself fully embracing fall. Summer is my favorite season, and I truly believe Colorado is at its best in the summer. Even though it seems like most people are excited to exchange fall for summer, I always struggle. I live for heat, sunshine and patios.
However, these fall recipes that have graced the blog over the last few weeks have helped me get over that hump. Deep in my heart, I'll always miss summer, but I'm settling into that snuggly feeling of fall. Anyone else feel the same struggle? If that's you, this homemade apple cider should help you feel those fall vibes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making homemade apple cider is surprisingly easy, but it does take some time. Fortunately, I enlisted the help of my trusty slow cooker to help make the process easy. My slow cooker was filled to the tip-top, so I recommend using at least a 6-quart slow cooker.
If your slow cooker is on the smaller side, you can still make this cider but half the recipe instead. You could also cook the cider in a large stockpot. Obviously, you won't be able leave the house like you could with a slow-cooker, but it's the perfect relaxing activity for those lazy afternoons.
To start, we core and slice the apples. I like to take care of this step in one swoop, so I use one of those nifty gadgets that slices and cores all at the same time. In case you're interested, I included a link for it below. And don't worry about removing the peel. After cooking, the peel will slide right off. Once we slice our apples, we throw them into the slow cooker or stockpot and cover them with water.
The typical cider guidance is to cover the apples with an inch of water, which would be good advice if it weren't for this thing called physics. Apples float, so you can't cover them with water. Rather than actually covering the apples with water, we get to use a little imagination. Add enough water so that if apples did sink, it would look like they'd be covered by an inch or so of water.
I don't know why that advice is standard, but it drives me crazy. Why are you telling me to do something that's physically impossible? That's ridiculous. Ever bob for apples? Bobbing for apples is fun because they float. If you had to dunk your head into the bottom of a bucket while desperately gnawing for sunken apples, it would feel like a death trap and take out all the fun. But I digress.
Once you add the apples and water, toss in some spices along with a sliced orange. You can leave the orange peel or cut off the peel before adding to the cider. The peel adds a slight bitterness, which gives the cider a touch of complexity. That said, the added bitterness isn't for everyone, so if you'd rather just have pure orange flavor, cut off the peel. If children will be partaking in the cider fun, I recommend leaving out the peel to be on the safe side.
After several hours, the apples will be soft enough to mash into the warm mixture. I find a potato masher is handy for this step. We mash the apples until they turn into pulp and then strain. Once we strain, add dark brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Give the cider a taste. While the cider should be well-spiced, feel free to sprinkle in any additional spices if you want a little more kick or add a little water if you prefer a milder flavor.
We now strain the mixture one more time, and we're ready to drink. You're welcome to drink this homemade apple cider as is, but I like to add a little bourbon to mine for obvious reasons. Spiced rum is another good option.
This cider also freezes well. Considering that it's just Matt and me with our furry dog child, who gets plenty of treats but not apple cider, an entire batch of this recipe is a lot. I like to freeze the cider in 2-cup batches and enjoy as needed. Just last Friday, I pulled out some frozen apple cider to make cocktails, and it was as delicious as it was fresh. Speaking of, I'll have a super easy apple cider cocktail on here soon so stay tuned!
Perfect Pairing
When it comes to pairing fruit and spice with a savory dish, pork is my go-to recommendation, and it works beautifully here. Specifically, I love a roasted herb pork loin with this homemade apple cider. The caramelization you get from roasted pork works well with sweetness from the apples and dark brown sugar while a few savory herbs add balance.
If you're in the mood for something sweet, I love a maple-flavored dessert --- say a maple panna cotta or creme brulee. Maple always pairs nicely with dark brown sugar and is the perfect backbone to all the spices. Plus, the vanilla from the creamy custards is always delicious with something sweet.
Now that it's the perfect time of year to cuddle up with a warm mug of homemade apple cider, I hope you try this recipe. As always, leave me a comment if you get a chance to try this recipe and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter.
Cheers!
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Homemade Apple Cider
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 10-12 cups 1x
Description
You can cook this delicious, comforting homemade apple cider in two ways: a slow cooker or stockpot. Serve as is or add a bourbon or rum for an extra punch.
Ingredients
5 Honeycrisp apples, cored and sliced
5 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
Water
1 orange, sliced
4 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons whole cloves
2 tablespoons ground allspice
½ tablespoon ground nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
½ tablespoon ground ginger
1 cup dark brown sugar
Bourbon or spiced rum, optional
Instructions
- Place apple slices in a slow cooker that holds at least 6 quarts. Fill with water until it looks like the water could cover the apples by an inch if they were submerged.
- Add orange slices and spices. Cover and cook on low for seven hours or high heat for three hours. Alternatively, place ingredients in a large stockpot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat and continue to simmer until apples are tender enough to mash into a pulp, about two to three hours.
- Using a potato masher, mash the apples until they turn into a pulp. Strain through a cheesecloth-lined fine-mesh sieve. If desired, strain a second time. Stir in dark brown sugar until it dissolves and taste. You can always add more spice or sugar if you find it necessary or water for a milder flavor.
- Pour in mugs and add an optional shot of bourbon or spiced rum if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Orange peel can add a little bitterness. Some people enjoy the little bite and complexity it adds, but if you'd rather avoid that, cut the orange peel off the slices. If you plan to serve to children, go ahead and cut off the peel.
- The apple peel can stay on and will easily slide off after cooking during the mashing process.
- Apple cider freezes well if you can't finish the entire batch.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Slow Cooker or Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 83
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: apple cider
This cider sets such a great mood for me! I think the first time I saw your recipe was on Pinterest, and I was super impressed with it. Now that I visited the actual recipe I couldn't but leave you this message - fantastic drink!
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Aww, thank you so much! So glad to hear that. ?
I've always wondered how to make homemade apple cider - thanks for giving us all the tips and tricks to make it!
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You're welcome! ?
this is such a fabulous recipe and a great excuse for me to pull out the slow cooker from the back of the pantry
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For sure! Perfect time of year for that.
I have never made homemade apple cider. This is perfect for the cold days. You're making me 2qnt to try this now. The drink look so comforting. Pinning!!!
★★★★★
Thank you! I hope you try it soon and love it. ?
Amanda, what a clever use of the slow cooker! Never thought of it for drinks! Tell me something, you wrote that it freezes well. I do not know anything about making cider, so would this be a drink that would traditionally be fermented as well?
Hi, Kari. Good question! So this isn't a fermented apple cider like you'd get in a bottle, which is why it freezes well. If you want to ferment it to make an alcoholic cider, you'd use this as the base and then follow a process similar to homebrewing where you'd add yeast, let it sit and then carbonate. I've actually homebrewed in the past, and while it's fun, this is definitely easier. Hope that helps!
I saw this picture on your Instagram and could not resist to visit you and grab the details on this comforting drink. Looks fantastic and pretty easy to make. Cheers to homemade apple cider!
★★★★★
Awww, thank you so much! It really is simple.
Wow! I can almost taste it , it looks so good! This sounds easier than I thought! I can’t wait to try it out!
For sure! It really is simple. Hope you love it!
We have loads of apple at the moment so this would be such a tasty way to use them. Def want to try this homemade apple cider!
★★★★★
Nice! I hope you enjoy it. ?
This apple cider is beautiful! Apple cider is one of my favorites drinks for fall & winter!
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Thanks so much, Anna!
I love summer too, but I love seasons more. I love how the weather changes, the mood changes and the food changes throughout the year! I think we appreciate each weather type more this way too. However, homemade apple cider is the best! I've already made it three times this fall, it's such an amazing treat on a cold day.
That's definitely a good way to frame it and helps me deal with it a little better. Thank you! ?
Apple cider is one of my favorite holiday traditions. I have never made my own cider but excited to try it.
★★★★★
Same here! I love it during all the cold months. Hope you love it.
I love apple cider, so this sounds very interesting. With apple season in full swing, this is the best time to give this a try. I always buy it, time to make it!!
★★★★★
It's definitely a fun fall activity. Hope you love it!
I love apple cider! I never thought about making it and this recipe looks nice and simple and delicious. I especially like the addition of bourbon for a little extra kick. Thanks for sharing!
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Always a fan of bourbon over here! You're welcome and hope you enjoy.