This easy homemade apple cider is made with fresh apples and warm spices. It’s cozy, fragrant, and perfect for everything from fall gatherings to quiet nights in.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
Every holiday season, I make a big batch of homemade apple cider. My family looks forward to it all year, and the smell alone puts everyone in the holiday spirit.
You can always doctor up a store-bought bottle of apple cider, but if you want to start with fresh apples and build that flavor from scratch, this is the recipe for you. Your whole house will smell incredible while it simmers.
This easy fall drink is simple and mostly hands-off. You toss everything into a large pot, let it simmer, and enjoy the sweet, spiced aroma filling the kitchen.
This recipe is for the stovetop, but I also provide instructions for the slow cooker, which is perfect for when you want to keep it warm for hours.
If you love cozy drinks like this, check out my slow cooker Holiday punch, too.
♡ Tanya
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith. You will need approximately 4 pounds, which is about 6-8 large apples, cored and quartered.
- Orange: One orange, sliced (no need to peel).
- Water: About 10 cups, or just enough to cover the apples.
- Fresh ginger: About a 2-inch piece, sliced.
- Whole spices: Cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, whole cloves
- Light Brown sugar: I suggest ½ cup, but adjust to taste. You can also use maple syrup, honey, or agave.
Recommended Tool
I prefer to use a large stockpot to make this apple cider. It gives you plenty of room for the apples, spices, and liquid, and you won’t have to worry about anything boiling over. A pot with a lid works best to retain heat during a long simmer.
How to Make Homemade Spiced Apple Cider on the Stovetop
Start by gathering all your ingredients and equipment.
Step 1: Add the apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves, and ginger to a large stockpot. Pour in enough water to fully cover the fruit by about 1- inch, about 10 cups.
Step 2: Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
💡Tip: I like to cover my pot while bringing it to a boil to help it come to a boil faster. Just listen closely for the sound of the water starting to bubble, then reduce the heat.
Step 3: Use a potato masher to mash the softened fruit in the pot.
Step 4: Carefully strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into another pot or bowl. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids or save them for composting. For a clearer cider, strain it again.
Step 5: Stir in the light brown sugar or your preferred sweetener. Taste and adjust as needed. Serve warm or chilled. Enjoy.
Slow Cooker Instructions
To make this apple cider in a slow cooker, add the apples, orange slices, spices, ginger, and water to the slow cooker insert. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Once the apples are soft, mash everything with a potato masher. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, then stir in the brown sugar or your preferred sweetener.
You can keep the strained cider warm in the slow cooker on the "keep warm" setting for serving.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can make this cider up to 3 days in advance. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in a slow cooker when ready to serve.
If you want to freeze it, be sure to leave some space in the container since the liquid will expand as it freezes. It can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Tanya's Top Tips
- Use a combination of apples for the best flavor. Sweet varieties, such as Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp, add body, while tart apples like Granny Smith bring brightness.
- You do not need to peel the apples.
- Have fun with the spices. You can also use other ingredients like star anise, cardamom pods, or a splash of vanilla extract to add your own twist to the flavor.
- If you're serving adults and want to give them the option to add alcohol, set out a few options, such as bourbon, rum, or spiced whiskey, so that guests can add a splash to their own mug. This way, everyone can control how much they'd like and keep it kid-friendly for others.
FAQs
Whole spices are best because they create a clean, smooth cider without cloudiness or grit. Ground spices can make the cider more difficult to strain and may leave sediment behind.
No need to peel. Just core and quarter the apples and slice the orange and ginger. The peels add extra flavor during simmering and will be strained out later.
Yes, you can use maple syrup, honey, or agave. Start with a little, then adjust to taste after straining.
I hope you love this homemade apple cider as much as we do. If you're looking for more Holiday drinks, check these out:
- Classic Lemonade - perfect for any gathering, any time of year. I mean, it's a classic.
- Cranberry Lemonade - a festive drink perfect for the Holiday season.
- Mulled wine - for an older crowd, this version, made in the slow cooker, is perfect for Holiday hosting.
If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, add the apples, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves, orange slices, and ginger. Add enough water to cover the apples completely by about 1 inch.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once apples are softened, use a potato masher to mash the fruit and spices.
- Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids or save them for composting. For a clearer cider, strain it again.
- Stir in the brown sugar (or sweetener) until it is dissolved.
- Serve warm, or let it cool and refrigerate for later use.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Adjust sugar to taste. Honey, maple syrup, or agave also work well.
- This dish can be prepared 2–3 days in advance. Store in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in a slow cooker.
- Keep warm in a slow cooker for parties, and let guests ladle their own cup.
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