Making Apple Cider at Home - Easy to Follow Recipe!
After a delightful day of apple picking, surrounded by crisp autumn air and the promise of delicious flavors, I found myself with a bounty of apples and a burning question: what to do with all this apples? The answer, of course, was apple cider! Having never made it before, I turned to TikTok for inspiration. The creativity and warmth of those homemade recipes drew me in, and before I knew it, my house was filled with the most inviting aroma, reminiscent of my beloved fall wax melts. My kids, always on the lookout for new scents, wandered in asking, “Wow, Mami, what’s that smell? Are you creating a new scent for your wax melts?” Ah, the joy of fall scents!
But enough about wax melts—let’s dive into the delicious world of homemade apple cider. Here’s a simple, cozy recipe that will have your home smelling like autumn in no time!
Ingredients:
Apples: About 20 medium-sized apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Fuji, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp works best) (But I use all the apple that we collected)
Water: Enough to cover the apples in your pot
Sweetener: 2 cup of brown sugar or honey or Maple Syrup (adjust to your taste) (I use Maple Syrup)
Spices:
2-3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon allspice berries (optional)
1-2 oranges, halved (optional, for a citrusy twist)
1 tablespoon Nutmeg (optional)
1/2 tablespoon Ground Ginger (optional)
Equipment:
Large pot
Wooden spoon
Potato masher (for mashing the apples) (You can use anything that you have in the house, I use a glass juice bottle)
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
A large bowl or pitcher for the cider
Instructions:
Prepare the Apples: Start by washing your apples thoroughly. You can core and slice them if you’d like, but it’s not necessary. Just chop them into quarters to release their juices more easily.
Combine Ingredients: Place the apple quarters into a large pot. Add enough water to cover the apples completely. Then, toss in the brown sugar, maple syrup or honey, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, nutmeg, ginger and allspice berries if you're using them. For an extra zing, add the halved oranges.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. You want the apples to break down completely and release all their delicious juices.
Mash the Apples: Once the apples are soft and mushy, take your potato masher and mash the apples in the pot. This helps extract even more flavor.
Strain the Cider: After mashing, it’s time to strain. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the liquid from the solids. You can use a ladle to help pour the cider into a large bowl or pitcher, pressing down on the solids to get every last drop of that tasty liquid.
Taste and Adjust: Give your cider a taste. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar or honey. If you like it spicier, consider adding a bit more cinnamon or cloves.
Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade apple cider is now ready! You can serve it warm or chilled, and it’s perfect for cozy evenings by the fire or festive gatherings. For an extra touch, you can garnish each cup with a cinnamon stick or an apple slice.
Tips:
Storage: Store any leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it for later use.
Variations: Feel free to get creative! Add ginger for a kick, or experiment with other spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
Use Different Apples: Mixing different varieties of apples can lead to a more complex and delightful flavor.
Making apple cider at home is not just about enjoying a tasty drink; it’s about creating memories and filling your home with the wonderful scents of fall. So gather your family, grab those apples, and start simmering! You’ll soon find that not only will your house smell divine, but you’ll have a delicious treat to enjoy together. Happy cider-making!
Comments