This apple cider recipe is full of fall flavor from fresh apples, brown sugar, and a variety of fragrant baking spices. It's incredibly easy to make and it will have your house smelling fabulous! Stove top apple cider is so warm and comforting, it's sure to become your family's next holiday tradition!
Homemade Fresh Apple Cider
Nothing screams fall like hot apple cider, and this stovetop recipe is the real deal. It's full of fragrant spices and plenty of flavor!
Fresh apples and oranges create an excellent flavor that you can only achieve with homemade apple cider. Your family will request for this drink to be on the holiday menu every year!
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🥘 Apple Cider Ingredients
You only need a few inexpensive ingredients to make this cider. Try my mulling spice recipe for the best flavor!
- Apples - 10 large apples or 12 medium-sized apples, cored and quartered (*see note).
- Orange- 1 large orange (quartered).
- Water - 1 gallon of fresh water.
- Mulling Spices - ¼ cup mulling spices (see recipe, or *see notes).
- Light Brown Sugar - ½ cup of packed brown sugar (*see notes for alternatives).
If you need apple cider for a recipe, you can also swap out one of my great apple cider substitutes listed here!
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Apple Cider
This recipe is surprisingly simple, just slice your apples and it's all downhill from there! You will need a sharp knife, a stockpot, measuring cups, and cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
This recipe will yield about 12 servings of cider. Double or triple the recipe for large events (though you may need to work in batches or with multiple stockpots).
- Add ingredients to pot. Add all ingredients except sugar (10 apples, 1 orange, 1 gallon of water, and ¼ cup mulling spices) to a large stockpot. The water should cover the fruit with 1-2 inches of space left at the top of the stockpot.
- Simmer. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let simmer for 2 hours. The apples should be very soft.
- Mash. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash the apples and oranges into the side of the pot to release their flavor. Then replace the lid and simmer for 1 more hour.
- Strain. Use a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove the fruit and large bits of spices, then discard them.
- Add Sugar. Stir in ½ cup of light brown sugar, tasting until you reach your desired level of sweetness. Continue to mix until the sugar has fully dissolved before removing from heat and allowing your cider to cool slightly.
- Serve. Garnish with orange slices or cinnamon sticks if desired and serve while warm.
All you need is a glass of hot apple cider to sip on as you enjoy the company of your family and friends. Though, spiced apple cider and homemade apple pie are a match made in heaven! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Always wash fruit before eating or cooking it, pesticides or bacteria may reside on the surface.
- You may peel the oranges if you prefer your cider less tart.
- Using a variety of apples provides the best flavor. Gala, Rome, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp apples are all excellent choices for making apple cider.
- A quick alternative to mulling spices is 4 cinnamon sticks and 1 tablespoon of whole cloves. In addition, you may use these optional spices: 1 teaspoon of whole allspice, 1 teaspoon of whole nutmeg, a star anise pod or two, and/or 1 teaspoon (or 1 inch) of fresh or crystallized ginger.
- Dark brown sugar can be used in place of light brown sugar for a rich depth of flavor. Alternatively, you can also use honey or maple syrup to sweeten your homemade apple cider.
🥡 Storing
Homemade apple cider can be kept in a sealed pitcher and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Once cooled, it may be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Apple Cider
Reheat cold apple cider in the microwave or on the stove top until satisfactory.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
No. Apple cider is a non-alcoholic drink. However, you can make it a cocktail by adding a shot of your favorite bourbon or whiskey!
There is a fair amount of sugar in apple cider, but less than your usual soda. You can use apple juice with no added sugar and your favorite sweetener to lessen the sugar content if desired.
The main difference is that apple juice is filtered and pasteurized. This is why it has such a long shelf life, smoother texture, and sweeter flavor. Apple cider is a seasonal drink that is more difficult to find in the spring and summer months.
😋 More Fall Flavors
- Pumpkin Dump Cake - Move over pumpkin pie; baking has never been easier than this pumpkin dump cake!
- Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte - Pumpkin spice is the king of fall flavors and this iced pumpkin spice latte is as good as it gets!
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Buttery mashed sweet potatoes are the ultimate fall side dish!
- Cherry Pie Bars - All the flavor of a homemade cherry pie in easy-to-eat dessert bars!
- Honey Roasted Acorn Squash - Sweet and savory honey-roasted acorn squash is a fabulous addition to any Thanksgiving or Christmas spread.
- Baked Cinnamon Apples - These sweet, tender apples make an easy side dish or dessert!
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📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 large apples (or 12 medium-sized apples, cored and quartered)
- 1 large orange (quartered)
- 1 gal water
- ¼ cup mulling spices (see recipe, or *see notes)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed, *see notes for alternatives)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except sugar (apples, orange, water, and mulling spices) to a large stockpot. The water should cover the fruit with 1-2 inches of space left at the top of the stockpot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let simmer for 2 hours. The apples should be very soft.
- Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash the apples and oranges into the side of the pot to release their flavor. Then replace the lid and simmer for 1 more hour.
- Use a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove the fruit and large bits of spices, then discard them.
- Stir in the brown sugar, tasting until you reach your desired level of sweetness. Continue to mix until the sugar has fully dissolved before removing from heat and allowing your cider to cool slightly.
- Garnish with orange slices or cinnamon sticks if desired and serve while warm.
Notes
- Always wash fruit before eating or cooking it, pesticides or bacteria may reside on the surface.
- You may peel the oranges if you prefer your cider less tart.
- Using a variety of apples provides the best flavor. Gala, Rome, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp apples are all excellent choices for making apple cider.
- A quick alternative to mulling spices is 4 cinnamon sticks and 1 tablespoon of whole cloves. In addition, you may use these optional spices: 1 teaspoon of whole allspice, 1 teaspoon of whole nutmeg, a star anise pod or two, and/or 1 teaspoon (or 1 inch) of fresh or crystallized ginger.
- Dark brown sugar can be used in place of light brown sugar for a rich depth of flavor. Alternatively, you can also use honey or maple syrup to sweeten your homemade apple cider.
- To store: Homemade apple cider can be kept in a sealed pitcher and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Once cooled, it may be frozen for up to 3 months.
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