Homemade apple cider is actually really very simple to make. Preparation time is about 5 minutes. Lately I have seen people raving about homemade apple cider made in a slow cooker. Well, I don't have a slow cooker and I decided to give it a try on my stove top. I really love this boil method. Not only because your house will smell amazing for hours, but there are more nutrients go into the water making it naturally sweet - with no added sugar or store bought apple juice.
Apple
- Flushes toxins
- Aids weight loss
- Fights cancer
- Boosts immune system
Cinnamon
- Speeds up metabolism
- Aids digestion
- Improves brain function
In this homemade spiced apple cider there are a little more ingredients involved. All the good stuff!
Ingredients for Homemade Apple Cider:
4 lbs apples, assorted variety (about 8 medium apples)
1 large orange
4 medium cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon whole cloves
10 to 11 cups water. 1 TBS Honey (Optional)
How To Make Spiced Apple Cider:
4. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat (now lean over and savor this amazing aroma), then reduce heat to medium and lightly boil uncovered for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low, and simmer another hour. The juice should begin to turn amber in color when it’s finished. The flavor should be sweet and spicy. If it isn't sweet enough for you - you can add more honey
5. Strain your cider through a fine mesh colander or through a fine mesh nut milk food strainer bag. I found that strainer bag outperformed a regular strainer or cheese cloth, making it very easy to squeeze as much juice as possible and discard the fruit pulp and spices.
Serve hot. This apple cider refrigerates well and is really easy to heat up on the stove top or in the microwave. Give a cold version a try too during the hot summer month for a boosted detox apple cider drink.
Credits: Inspiration and adaptations from: Natasha of natashaskitchen.com
Pamela
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?
Irina
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...
margarita torres
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.
Irina
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
Justin
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.
Irina
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
Linda
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!
Irina
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!