Description
This Hot Apple Cider recipe is a cozy, spice-packed beverage made by simmering a mix of apples, oranges, and warming spices. Sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla, it is perfect for chilly days or festive occasions, offering a deliciously fragrant and comforting drink to enjoy warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 10 to 12 medium apples, quartered with peels and seeds (mix of Granny Smith, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala)
- 2 large ripe oranges, peeled and quartered
Spices
- 4 cinnamon sticks (3-4 inches each)
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1 whole nutmeg or ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries (optional)
- 5 whole black peppercorns (optional)
Liquids and Sweeteners
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- ½ cup pure maple syrup or packed brown sugar (or half maple syrup and half brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add ingredients to pot: Place the quartered apples, peeled and quartered oranges, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and any optional spices into a very large stockpot. Ideally use a 12-quart pot or any large enough pot for the ingredients.
- Add water: Pour in the full gallon of water if your pot is large enough. Otherwise, fill the pot leaving 1½ to 2 inches of space on top for simmering; you will add remaining water later.
- Simmer: Cover the pot and bring the water to a rapid simmer over high heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low, and cook covered for 2 to 2½ hours or until the fruit is very soft.
- Mash: Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to mash the softened fruit against the side of the pot to release more flavor.
- Simmer again: Simmer uncovered for 1 additional hour to concentrate the flavors.
- Strain: Set a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl (or two if needed). Ladle the cider into the strainer and press down the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Add sweetener: Return the strained cider to the pot. Add any remaining water if not added before, stir in maple syrup and/or brown sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Adjust to taste: Taste the cider and adjust sweetness with additional sweetener one tablespoon at a time. Optionally add ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, or nutmeg pinch by pinch to enhance flavor as desired.
- Serve: Enjoy the cider warm or chilled according to preference. Optionally explore serving variations for a festive touch.
Notes
- Peel the oranges before adding to the pot to prevent bitterness in the cider.
- For a slow cooker method, add all ingredients to a large slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3 hours for best flavor.
- Store leftover cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freeze cider in freezer-safe containers leaving ¾ inch space for expansion; it keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or serving chilled.
- Use a mix of apples for depth of flavor including tart and sweet varieties.
- Adjust sweetness and spices to your taste preferences for a personalized cider experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
