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Easy homemade apple cider recipe with fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, and warming spices simmering in a large pot

Easy Homemade Apple Cider: The Perfect Fall Comfort Drink

This easy homemade apple cider recipe captures autumn in a mug with fresh apples, citrus, and warming spices. Slow-simmered to perfection, it delivers comforting flavor, cozy aromas, and superior nutrition compared to store-bought cider.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 -12 cups
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 130
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 10-12 large apples mix of Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji
  • 2-3 oranges or tangerines peeled and segmented
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup brown sugar or honey, maple syrup, stevia
  • 2-3 quarts water to cover fruit by 2 inches

Method
 

  1. Wash apples and citrus thoroughly. Core and quarter apples, keeping peels. Peel oranges and separate into segments.
  2. Mix cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg in a bowl.
  3. Place fruit and spices in a large stockpot. Add water until 2 inches above fruit.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 2 hours, covered.
  5. Mash softened fruit with a potato masher to release juices.
  6. Simmer 1 additional hour, covered.
  7. Strain mixture through cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve, pressing solids.
  8. Return strained cider to pot, stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Adjust sweetness to taste. Keep warm until serving.

Notes

Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for best complexity. Always strain twice for clarity. Add sugar at the end to prevent oversweetening.