Description
This Homemade Spiced Apple Cider recipe is a cozy, comforting beverage perfect for chilly days and festive gatherings. Made from fresh apples, oranges, and warming spices, it simmers gently on the stovetop to develop rich flavors. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup or brown sugar, this cider can be enjoyed warm or chilled, with optional bourbon or rum for an adult twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 10 to 12 medium apples
- 2 large oranges
Spices
- 4 to 5 cinnamon sticks (2- to 3-inches each)
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves (or 1 teaspoon ground cloves)
- Optional spices: 1 whole nutmeg, 1 star anise, 1 teaspoon allspice berries, and/or 4 whole black peppercorns
Liquids & Sweeteners
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water (filtered if possible)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup (or packed dark brown sugar, plus additional to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Serving (Optional)
- Apple slices and cinnamon sticks
- Bourbon or rum (2 tablespoons per drink, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Quarter the oranges and remove the peels from one orange while leaving the peel on the other. Gather the apples, orange quarters, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and any optional spices.
- Combine Ingredients in Stockpot: Place the apples, orange quarters (both peeled and unpeeled), cinnamon sticks, cloves, and optional spices into a very large stockpot. Pour in the water, ensuring you leave at least 1 ½ inches of space at the top to accommodate simmering. Adjust the amount of water if using a smaller pot.
- Simmer the Cider: Bring the mixture to a rapid simmer over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 2 hours or until the apples and oranges are completely soft and tender.
- Mash the Fruit: Remove the orange sections with peels on and discard them, keeping the peeled orange sections. Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to mash the softened fruit at the bottom of the pot, releasing more flavor into the cider. Continue simmering the mixture uncovered for an additional hour to deepen the flavors and reduce the cider slightly.
- Strain the Cider: Pour the cider through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or another pot. Press down firmly on the fruit solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the leftover solids.
- Sweeten and Finish: Optionally return the strained cider to the pot. Stir in the maple syrup or brown sugar and vanilla extract. Warm gently over low heat while stirring to blend the flavors. Taste the cider and adjust sweetness by adding more sweetener one tablespoon at a time if desired.
- Serve: Serve the spiced apple cider warm or chilled. Garnish with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum per drink if you want an adult version.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a balanced flavor.
- The simmering time allows flavors to meld – don’t rush this step.
- Adjust sweetness gradually to fit your taste preference.
- Optional spices such as nutmeg, star anise, allspice, and black peppercorns add complexity but can be omitted.
- Store leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Rewarm gently before serving to avoid boiling off flavors.
- For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the bourbon or rum.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
