This Homemade Apple Cider Recipe is an easy-to-make drink with health benefits and delightful flavors. With a simple process and the ability to choose your ingredients, you can create a delicious and nutritious beverage. I’m excited to share a simple yet delightful homemade apple cider recipe that will not only warm your heart but also impress your friends and family, all without any added sugar.
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Creating your apple cider at home is surprisingly straightforward and only requires around 5 minutes of prep time. Recently, there’s been a buzz about making homemade apple cider with a slow cooker. However, I opted to use my stove top instead. What I adore about this boiling method is not just the heavenly scent it fills your home with, but also how nutrient-rich the water becomes, providing a natural sweetness that eliminates the need for added sugar or commercial apple juice.
Health Benefits of Homemade Apple Cider
Inspired by my simple Apple Cinnamon Detox Water Recipe, this DIY apple cider isn’t just delicious; it also offers numerous health benefits. Unlike store-bought versions that often contain added sugars and preservatives, our recipe ensures you’re sipping on a pure, natural elixir. Apples are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, which aid in digestion and support overall health. By making your cider at home, you control the ingredients, ensuring it’s as health-conscious as you are.
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
The combination of apples and spices makes this homemade cider not only a treat for your taste buds but also a boost for your well-being.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Apple Cider
Making your own apple cider at home is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps to create a delicious, no-added-sugar version:
Ingredients
- 4 lbs apples, (about 8-10 medium-sized apples). A mix of sweet and tart or assorted variety.
- 1 large orange
- 4 medium cinnamon sticks. Or 3 and ½ to 4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 10 cups of water (1 cup equals approx 240 ml)
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Instructions
Wash your Apples and Orange: I used our apple slicer which cored and sliced them easily. There’s no need to peel apples, as they will be strained out later. Slice the orange into rounds.
Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and whole cloves. Add 10 to 11 cups of water, ensuring the fruit is well-covered.
Simmer and Mash: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours. Now lean over and take a moment to indulge in the wonderful smell. Occasionally stir and mash the apples with a spoon to release their juices.
Strain the Mixture: After 2 hours, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Strain your cider through a fine mesh colander or a nut milk food strainer bag. I found that a strainer bag outperformed a regular strainer or cheesecloth, making it easy to squeeze as much juice as possible and discard the fruit pulp and spices.
Serve and Enjoy: You’ll notice the juice taking on an amber hue when it’s done. Your homemade apple cider is now ready to enjoy! It should ideally have a balanced taste of sweetness and spice. However, if you prefer a sweeter edge, feel free to add more honey. Serve warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
Tips on Selecting the Best Apples
Choosing the right apples is crucial for the perfect cider. Here are some tips to help you select the best varieties:
Mix Varieties for Depth of Flavor: A mix of apple varieties can enhance the complexity of your cider’s flavor. Combine sweet apples like Fuji or Gala with tart varieties like Granny Smith or McIntosh.
Look for Freshness: Fresh apples yield the best juice. Visit a local orchard or farmer’s market to source apples that are in season and at their peak ripeness.
Recommended Varieties: Sweet Apples: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala. Tart Apples: Granny Smith, McIntosh, Jonathan or Pink Lady.
Serving Ideas and Variations
- Warm: Heat the cider gently and serve in mugs with a cinnamon stick for a cozy treat.
- Cold: Chill the cider and serve over ice with a slice of orange or apple for a refreshing drink.
- Apple Ginger Cider: Add a few slices of fresh ginger for a spicy kick. Ginger pairs beautifully with the warm spices and adds a unique depth of flavor.
- Spiced: Add a splash of spiced rum or bourbon for an adult version perfect for gatherings.
- Spiced Cranberry Cider: Add a cup of fresh cranberries to the pot along with the apples. The cranberries add a tartness that complements the sweetness of the apples.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store your cider in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
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Easy Apple Cider Recipe | No Added Sugar
Ingredients
- 4 Pounds Apples 8-10 medium-sized apples. A mix of sweet and tart or assorted variety
- 1 Orange Large
- 4 Cinnamon Sticks Or 3 ½ to 4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves
- 10 cups Water 1 cup equals approx 240 ml
Optional
- 2 Tablespoons Honey optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples and Orange: I used our apple slicer which cored and sliced them easily. There's no need to peel apples, as they will be strained out later. Slice the orange into rounds.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and whole cloves. Add 10 to 11 cups of water, ensuring the fruit is well-covered.
- Simmer and Mash: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours. Now lean over and take a moment to indulge in the wonderful smell. Occasionally stir and mash the apples with a spoon to release their juices.
- Strain the Mixture: After 2 hours, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Strain your cider through a fine mesh colander or a nut milk food strainer bag. I found that a strainer bag outperformed a regular strainer or cheesecloth, making it easy to squeeze as much juice as possible and discard the fruit pulp and spices.
- Serve and Enjoy: You'll notice the juice taking on an amber hue when it's done. Your homemade apple cider is now ready to enjoy! It should ideally have a balanced taste of sweetness and spice. However, if you prefer a sweeter edge, feel free to add more honey. Serve warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
Notes
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store your cider in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Reheat the cider on the stove or in the microwave before serving. The flavors may intensify after sitting, making it even more delicious the next day.
Hi l wanted to know if there’s a substitute for the cinnamon on the apple cider drink l’am allergic to cinnamon. Thank you.
Hi Margarita, if you allergic to cinnamon, I suggest use all the ingredients minus cinnamon. YOu can add an extra pinch of nutmeg and an extra TBSP of honey
I’m a rookie and made this cider over the weekend. I thought it was delicious but my wife and sister said it had a little bit of a bitter after taste. Would that go away if I peeled the orange? Or did I mess up somewhere? Either way I’ll be drinking and making a lot of this.
It’s possible that they taste the orange peel as bitter after taste… make one without orange peel and see what they think? But peel also has good vitamins … either way you rocked it
Made this tonight with some apples left over from Thanksgiving & needed to be used. I poured my self a Hot cup as soon as I strained it, it was absolutely delicious! I didn’t add any honey it was plenty sweet just right! First time for me to make apple cider thank you!
HI Linda. Thank you so much! This warmed my heart and my soul and I think I smelled the cider through your comment. So glad you enjoyed it!
Here in the island of Puerto Rico the cinnamon sticks are no good. They have no flavor. So i have been buying from the health food store powdered ciinnamon and it tastes delicious. Well, my question is how much powered cinnamon can i use to make apple cider?
HI Pamela. Cinnamon sticks, Once added to the water, they should add flavor and aroma. Yes, absolutely you can substitute for cinnamon powder – I read that 1 -3″ stick equals 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon). So you may need to add 3-4 teaspoons. I would start with 2-3 and then you taste. If the liquid tastes good to you, you can add more… Let me know you made the apple cider and if cinnamon powder was ok, which i’m sure it will be… Good luck… I love adding cinnamon powder to various of my meals…
Surely cider has alcohol so this is apple juice/water? 🍷
Great question! This one’s actually a non-alcoholic version—just pure apples, spices, and water simmered to cozy perfection. Think of it as apple cider’s wholesome, sober cousin!