Easy Homemade Apple Cider (Stovetop Recipe)
A mix of apples, oranges and spices like cinnamon and cloves boil together to make a large batch of homemade apple cider. It's a cozy, warm drink and can be chilled and served as a refreshing fall beverage.
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That signature smell of fall comes to life with a simmering pot of homemade apple cider on the stovetop. It reminds me of trips to the apple orchard to get a cup of warm apple cider and my favorite apple cider donut.
There are two apple trees in my backyard that generally produce an abundance of Fuji and Granny Smith apples, which is the combination I use for this Easy Homemade Apple Cider recipe. It’s great as a make-ahead batch drink to serve warm for the entire holiday season or served cold anytime you want a little fall flavor in a glass.
Bonus: It’s like a fall candle has exploded in your house for well beyond the time it takes to simmer on the stove.
And if you’re already thinking ahead, this makes a perfect base for apple cider mocktails, apple cider mimosas or even this cozy Apple Cider Old Fashioned.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 20 apples, mixed varieties (Fuji and Granny Smith recommended)
- 2 large oranges, peeled and quartered
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons whole cloves
- 32 cups water (2 gallons)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
How to Make Apple Cider Hot Drink
Prepare the fruit. Wash apples and cut into large chunks, removing the core. Peel and quarter the oranges.
Start the cider. Add apples chunks, orange wedges, cinnamon sticks, cloves and water to a large pot.
Simmer. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover with a lid and simmer for 90 minutes.
Mash the fruit. Remove the lid and use the back of a wooden spoon to gently smash the apples and press the oranges, releasing their juices.
Simmer again. Cover and continue simmering for another 60 to 75 minutes.
Strain. Carefully strain out the solids using a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or both for extra smoothness. Return the liquid to the pot.
Sweeten. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Taste and adjust, adding more sugar if you prefer it sweeter. Each batch will vary, depending on the natural sweetness of the apples.
Serve. Pour into mugs and enjoy warm.
Recipe Suggestions & Tips
- Spice it up: This homemade apple cider is delicious on its own, but you can turn it into a spiced apple cider with a few star anise and slices of fresh ginger to deepen the flavor.
- Make and freeze: Use silicone molds to freeze portions of the cider. You can simple drop the frozen cubes into a saucepan and slowly bring them back to a simmer. Add a cinnamon stick for an instant, edible simmer pot throughout the season.
- Share with friends: Once cooled, this homemade apple cider is very giftable. Add it to canning jars or swing-top bottles and share it with neighbors, friends or give it as a hostess gift for holiday parties.
FAQs About Homemade Apple Cider
Yes! The apples and oranges provide natural sweetness and will vary with each batch. You can reduce or omit the brown sugar to your liking. Try replacing it with maple syrup or honey to taste.
Yes. This is a large batch recipe, but you can cut the recipe in half. Use 10 apples, 1 large orange, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 tablespoon whole cloves, 32 ounces of water and ½ cup brown sugar. The rest of the instructions remain the same.
When apples cook down, they naturally release pectin and starches. As the fruit breaks apart, those starches create a foam on the surface of the pot. This is completely normal and safe to drink.
A mix of sweet and tart apples works best. While I tend to use Fuji and Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp or Cosmic Crisp can be swapped into the mix, as well. You want a mix of sweet and tart, if possible.
Yes. Simply reheat gently on the stove or microwave. Make it a mulled cider by keeping it warm in a slower cooker on low with extra cinnamon sticks to revive that signature fall aroma.
Homemade apple cider will develop sediment after it has been transferred to jars or containers in the refrigerator. It comes from tiny bits of apple pulp, spices and sugars that settle at the bottom. You can simple give your cider a good stir while reheating or shake it while the lid is secure to redistribute those valuable flavors!
Easy Homemade Apple Cider Recipe (Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 20 apples, mixed varieties (Fuji and Granny Smith work well)
- 2 large oranges, peeled and quartered
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons whole cloves
- 32 cups water, about 2 gallons
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- Wash apples, core and cut into large chunks. Peel orange and break into segments.
- Add apples, orange segments, cinnamon sticks, cloves and water to a large pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover with a lid and simmer for 90 minutes.
- Remove the lid and use the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash the apples and press the orange segments, releasing their juices.
- Cover and continue simmering for another 60 to 75 minutes.
- Carefully strain out the solids using a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or both for extra smoothness. Return the liquid to the pot.
- Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Taste and adjust, adding more sugar if you prefer it sweeter. Each batch will vary, depending on the sweetness of the apples.
- Serve. Pour into mugs and enjoy warm.
Notes
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