Description
Warm and comforting hot apple cider made from a blend of fresh apples, oranges, and aromatic spices, simmered for hours to develop rich flavors. Sweetened with pure maple syrup and vanilla, this classic drink is perfect for cozy gatherings or chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Spices
- 10 to 12 medium apples, quartered with peels and seeds (use a mix like Granny Smith, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala etc.)
- 2 large ripe oranges, peeled and quartered
- 4 cinnamon sticks (3-4 inch)
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1 whole nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries (optional)
- 5 whole black peppercorns (optional)
Liquids and Sweeteners
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- 1/2 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 quartered apples, peeled quartered oranges, cinnamon sticks, peeled ginger, whole cloves, and any optional spices into a very large stockpot (12 quarts ideal). Note that oranges should be peeled to reduce bitterness.
- Add water: Pour in a full gallon of water if pot size allows; otherwise fill pot leaving 1 ½ - 2 inches of space at the top for simmering. Add remaining water later as needed.
- Simmer: Cover pot and bring to a rapid simmer over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 2 to 2 ½ hours 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 juices.
- Simmer again: Continue simmering uncovered for an additional 1 hour to further concentrate flavors.
- Strain: Using a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl, ladle the cider in batches, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids.
- Add sweetener: Return the strained cider to the pot. Add any remaining water if the full gallon wasn’t used initially. Stir in maple syrup and/or brown sugar and vanilla extract to combine.
- Adjust to taste: Taste the cider and adjust sweetness with additional sweetener one tablespoon at a time, and season with ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, or ground nutmeg as desired.
- Serve: Serve hot or chilled as preferred. Enjoy plain or try various serving suggestions.
Notes
- The recipe photos show unpeeled oranges but peeling reduces bitterness.
- For slow cooker method: add all ingredients and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3 hours for a slower, gentler simmer.
- Store refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 1 week.
- To freeze, use freezer-safe containers with 3/4-inch headspace; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
- Variations included in original post offer fun ways to customize the cider.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
