Description
This homemade apple cider recipe is a warm, comforting beverage made by simmering fresh apples with aromatic spices and brown sugar. Perfect for cozy fall days or holiday gatherings, this cider is naturally sweetened and filled with rich flavors of cinnamon and allspice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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. Add enough water to cover the apples by 2 inches when they are gently pushed down, as apples tend to float.
- Add spices and sugar: Stir in the packed brown sugar, cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon), and ground allspice into the pot with the apples and water.
- Boil the mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil uncovered and allow it to boil for 1 hour, which helps extract the flavors from the apples and spices.
- Simmer the cider: After boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer for 2 hours, deepening the flavors and softening the apples.
- Strain the cider: Let the mixture cool slightly before straining it through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Gently press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids and strain the liquid once more through the cheesecloth for a clear cider.
Notes
- You can substitute ground cinnamon for cinnamon sticks, but stick to 2 teaspoons to avoid overpowering the cider.
- If you prefer a spicier cider, consider adding a few cloves or a slice of fresh ginger during the simmering process.
- The cider can be served warm or chilled and stored refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a sparkling version, mix the chilled cider with carbonated water before serving.
- Use a variety of apples for a more complex flavor, such as a mix of sweet and tart apples.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
