One of our favorite things about fall? We can use it as an excuse to drink homemade apple cider, 24/7. Not only is it super easy to make at home, but it’s also the perfect way to use up all of those extra apples when you just can’t bake another apple pie. Filled with warming spices with just enough sweetness, it’s the perfect fall drink to have on the back burner when you’re hosting guests. Read on for all of our top tips on how to make this warming, comforting staple:
How to make homemade apple cider:
We recommend using the largest pot you have when making this recipe, or split the ingredients between two pots so your cider doesn’t boil over. Though it might feel weird to smash the apples after they’ve been cooking for 2 hours, this step is very important—don’t skip it. This will help you extract maximum apple flavor. Use a potato masher if you have one, or do the best you can with a large wooden spoon. After simmering for an additional hour, you’ll strain your mixture and serve. It’s that easy!
What apples should I use to make apple cider?
You can use whatever apples you want to make this apple cider: your favorite type of apple, or whatever you happen to have one hand. Pro tip, though: the stronger flavored apples (such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp) will give your cider a stronger flavor.
Do I need to peel my apples?
Absolutely not. Honestly, your cider will have a lot more flavor if you leave the peels on. There’s tons of great apple flavor hiding in the skins. Don’t worry– you’ll strain everything through a fine mesh strainer at the end, which will catch all the solids. Be sure to have a ladle on hand to help with this; there will be a lot of liquid!
Should I use whole or ground spices?
Whole spices for sure! We’re just looking for their flavor to be infused into the cider while it simmers. If you’re concerned about someone choking on an allspice berry or a clove, don’t worry: they’ll get strained out at the end, when we run everything through a mesh strainer.
Variations.
Once you’ve made this recipe, you can use it as a jumping off point to make your ideal apple cider. Feel free to adjust the spices to taste, add some bourbon or whiskey for a spiked apple cider (there’s no limit to the apple cider cocktails you can make), or freeze it to make an apple cider slushy.
How long does homemade apple cider keep?
Apple cider will stay good in your refrigerator for 2 weeks. Be sure to let it cool down completely before storing in an airtight container and popping it in the refrigerator.