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–+ servings
a glass of apple cider topped with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

This homemade apple cider is made with simple ingredients in just a few hours. It tastes so good and makes the house smell heavenly!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time3 hours 10 minutes
Total Time3 hours 20 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 -12 cups (2.5-3 quarts)
Author: Laurel Perry

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Potato Masher
  • Fine Mesh Sieve
  • Cheesecloth

Ingredients

  • 10 large apples quartered; stems and seeds removed
  • 3 tangerines peeled and separated into segments
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 2-3 quarts water
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions

  • Add the apples, tangerines, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a Dutch oven or stockpot.
    10 large apples, 3 tangerines, 4 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons whole cloves
    sliced apples topped with cinnamon sticks and cloves.
  • Cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure it is still simmering.
    2-3 quarts water
    cooked apple slices, tangerines, and spices in a pot.
  • Use a potato masher to mash the fruit and release the juices.
    mashing cooked apples and tangerines in a pot with a potato masher.
  • Cover and simmer for 1 more hour.
    mashed apple cider in a pot.
  • Line a large colander with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl.
    a mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth.
  • Ladle or pour the cider mixture through the strainer. Press down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
    straining apple cider through cheesecloth.
  • Wipe out the pot and return the cider to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved.
    ½ cup brown sugar
    clear, pulp-free apple cider in a pot with a wooden spoon.
  • Keep warm on the stove until serving.

Video

Notes

Yield: This recipe makes approx. 2½-3 quarts of cider. A serving is 1 cup.
Storage: Store homemade apple cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg