Homemade Apple Cider
There's nothing quite like a warm glass of apple cider to cozy up to on a crisp fall day. This homemade apple cider recipe is not only simple to make but also fills your home with the delightful aroma of apples and spices.
10 medium apples a mix of sweet and tart varieties such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith 1 orange quartered 4 cinnamon sticks 1 tablespoon whole cloves 1 tablespoon whole allspice 1/2 cup brown sugar adjust to taste 8 cups water
Step 1: Prepare the Apples Wash the apples thoroughly to remove any dirt or wax.
Quarter the apples. There's no need to peel or core them, as they will be strained out later.
Step 2: Cook the Cider In a large pot, combine the quartered apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice.
Add the water, ensuring all the fruit is submerged.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Mash and Strain After simmering, use a potato masher to mash the apples and oranges, releasing their juices.
Simmer for an additional hour to deepen the flavors.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
Step 4: Sweeten and Serve Add the brown sugar to the strained liquid and stir until it's dissolved.
Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary, adding more sugar if desired.
Serve warm. Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick or a slice of apple for an extra touch.