Description
This homemade apple cider recipe is a cozy, spiced beverage perfect for chilly days. Made by slow-cooking a mix of apples, orange, cinnamon, and cloves, it results in a warm, flavorful cider that is both comforting and naturally sweetened. The slow cooker does most of the work, developing deep, rich flavors that can be enjoyed warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 10 medium apples (a variety such as Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- 1 orange, peeled and segmented
Spices and Sweetener
- 4 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons (75g) granulated sugar
Liquid
- Water (enough to cover the fruit)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Peel the orange and place the segments into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Rinse the apples, cut into quarters, and discard the cores before adding them to the slow cooker along with the orange segments.
- Add Spices and Sugar: Add the cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, and granulated sugar to the slow cooker with the fruit. Pour in just enough water to fully cover the fruit mixture.
- Cook the Mixture: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high heat for about 4 hours. Low heat is preferred for better flavor extraction and softness of the fruit.
- Mash the Fruit: Once the fruit is very soft, remove the cinnamon sticks with tongs or a slotted spoon. Use a large sturdy spoon or potato masher to mash the cooked fruit inside the slow cooker. Return the cinnamon sticks to the mixture and cover.
- Continue Cooking: Cook the mashed fruit on low or high heat for 1 additional hour to deepen the flavors.
- Strain the Cider: Slowly pour the saucepan contents through a fine mesh sieve into a large pot or heat-safe pitcher, straining out the solids which can be discarded. For a clearer cider, strain the liquid one more time to ensure no solids remain.
- Serve: Serve the apple cider warm. It can also be chilled and served cold if preferred.
- Store Leftovers: Refrigerate any leftover cider for 5 to 7 days. Reheat on the stove before serving again or enjoy it cold.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier cider, increase the amount of cinnamon sticks or cloves slightly.
- You can adjust sugar quantity based on the sweetness of apples and your preference.
- For a clearer cider, additional strains using cheesecloth can be done.
- This cider can also be infused with additional flavors like ginger or star anise for variation.
- Use a slow cooker size of at least 4 quarts to accommodate the volume of fruit and liquid comfortably.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider, homemade cider, slow cooker cider, fall drink, spiced apple cider, warm beverage
