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    Delightful Mom Food / Recipes / Drinks / Best Homemade Apple Cider From Scratch

    Last Updated September 27, 2021. Published September 17, 2020 Danielle Fahrenkrug | This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Best Homemade Apple Cider From Scratch

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    Cozy up with a warm or cold glass the BEST homemade apple cider! This drink recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker or stove top for the holidays!

    homemade apple cider recipe from scratch

    Apple Cider

    Right now I am writing this as I am making this homemade apple cider and MY HOUSE SMELLS AMAZING!!! It smells of warm pumpkin and apple pie spices marinating on the stove. I wish you were here to enjoy it right now with me! This really is the best homemade apple cider you’ll ever try. I make this every year to welcome in the holidays and cooler weather (even though it is not quite cooler here in California). By itself it is a yummy little treat the kiddos enjoy or add a bit of whiskey to turn it into a refreshing adult cocktail!

    • Making apple cider at home is easy and can be done in the slow cooker or on the stove top.
    • Makes the house smell amazing! – who doesn’t just love the flavors and aromas of sweet fall spices filling the air!
    • This drink can be made with keto sugar, with your favorite sweetener, and to how sweet you prefer – The recipe calls for honey or maple syrup but can also be made with keto syrup in their place.
    • An apple a day keeps the doctor away! – Apples and its components may reduce the risk of chronic disease including antioxidant, antiproliferative, and how cells signal and work together. They also have signs of reducing the risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and Alzheimer’s disease. And it even gets better! Eating them also supports aging, diabetes, weight management, bone health, pulmonary function, and gastrointestinal protection [source]. The addition of cinnamon and spices in apple cider help to reduce inflammation.

    What goes into this recipe

    All the flavors of fall go into this easy apple cider recipe! Apples, 16 cups of water, navel orange, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spices and a sweetener are simmered together to make this cider recipe. I used honey here but maple syrup or keto syrup is also delicious. You can also use stevia drops or it in powder form for no additional sugar.

    Homemade Apple Cider

    How to make apple cider from scratch

    Homemade apple cider is be made in the slow cooker or stove top, and both take a couple of hours but the result is worth it! Slice the apples in half and quarter the oranges before adding them to a pot or crock pot.

    Homemade Apple Cider

    Stove top

    STEP 1: In a large stock pot, add the apples, oranges, water, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon sticks. Cover and bring the pot to a boil, and as soon as it starts to boil turn the heat down to a simmer (about low-medium heat). Let it heat for 2 hours or until the apples are nice and soft and lighter in color. The longer it simmers the better the flavor.

    STEP 2: Pour in your sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or keto syrup). Using a potato masher, mash the apples and oranges to squeeze out their juices and taste.

    STEP 3: Let the apple cider set until it is cool enough to handle. Remove the cinnamon sticks. Using a cheese cloth or nut bag squeeze out the juices to separate the solids from the liquid. Add anymore sweeter “to taste”.

    Homemade Apple Cider

    Slow cooker

    Making this in the slow cooker is the same as stove top. In a large slow cooker, add the apples, oranges, water, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon sticks and cook on low for 2 hours. After 2 hours of cooking stir in the sweetener. Then mash up the fruit with a potato masher and when the cider is cool, use a nut bag to separate the liquid from solid.

    How to serve and store homemade cider

    Serve right away warm or chill first. Store the homemade apple cider in a pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Add a little whisky if desired.

    FAQs and expert tips

    What kind of apples are best for homemade apple cider?

    Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Gala, or Red Delicious varieties work well for a sweeter apple cider recipe. If you prefer a more tart ad acidic you can use Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonathan, Granny Smith, or McIntosh.

    How long does homemade apple cider last?

    Five to seven days is the recommended time to drink apple cider once it is made or opened.

    How can you tell if apple cider has gone bad?

    If the sweet apple cider starts to darken and turn foggy it is undergoing fermentation and is turning into apple cider vinegar and will taste bad and a bit sour. It is not harmful, it is just fermenting into hard cider.

    Homemade Apple Cider

    This is such a tasty fall drink recipe! I love how healthy and simple this homemade apple cider is to put together! Make it two ways: stove or slow cooker. Store it in a pretty jar for a great holiday gift or serve for Christmas and Thanksgiving brunch or dinner! You can even add whisky if you are feeling frisky! Or give chilled to the kiddos as apple juice.

    Homemade Apple Cider

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    If you make this homemade apple cider recipe from Delightful Mom Food I would love to see your creations! Follow along with me on INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and TWITTER to be featured and for more recipe inspiration! And don’t forget to rate the recipe in the recipe area and leave a comment below!

    homemade apple cider in a cup with cinnamon orange and apple slices

    BEST Homemade Apple Cider Recipe From Scratch

    Cozy up with a warm or cold glass the BEST homemade apple cider! This drink recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker or stove top for the holidays!
    3.75 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Beverage, Drink
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Hindu, Kosher, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    cool time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 66kcal
    Author: Danielle Fahrenkrug

    Ingredients

    • 10 apples medium sized, halved
    • 1 navel orange quartered
    • 16 cups water
    • 4 sticks cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • ½ cup sweetener honey, maple syrup, or keto syrup

    Instructions

    • Cut apples in half and quarter the oranges.

    Stove Top Apple Cider

    • In a large stock pot, add the apples, oranges, water, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon sticks. Cover and bring the pot to a boil, and as soon as it starts to boil turn the heat down to a simmer (about low-medium heat). Let it heat for 2 hours or until the apples are nice and soft. the longer it simmers the better the flavor.
    • Pour in your sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or keto syrup). Using a potato masher, mash the apples and oranges to squeeze out their juices and taste.
    • Let the apple cider set until it is cool enough to handle. Remove the cinnamon sticks. Using a cheese cloth or nut bag squeeze out the juices to separate the solids from the liquid. Add anymore sweeter "to taste". Discard the solids.

    Slow Cooker Apple Cider

    • Place the prepared apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, pumpkin pie spice, and water in a crock pot. Cook on high for 2 hours until the apples are soft.
    • Using a mashed potato masher, smash the fruit to get all the juices out of it. Let it cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes or more. Remove the cinnamon sticks. With a cheese cloth or nut bag, squeeze the crushed apples and oranges over a large bowl to get the juice out. Discard the solids.

    Serving

    • Serve warm or refrigerate until cold. Add whiskey if desired and enjoy within 5-7 days.

    Notes

    Notes 1. Nutritional information is from a third party and based with ½ cup honey as the sweetener. 
    Notes 2. Serving and storing: Serve right away warm or chill first. Store the homemade apple cider in a pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Add a little whisky if desired. 
    Notes 3. Types of apples: Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Gala, or Red Delicious varieties work well for a sweeter apple cider recipe. If you prefer a more tart ad acidic you can use Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonathan, Granny Smith, or McIntosh.
    Notes 4: If the sweet apple cider starts to darken and turn foggy it is undergoing fermentation and is turning into apple cider vinegar and will taste bad and a bit sour. It is not harmful, it is just fermenting into hard cider.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DelightfulMomFood or tag #DelightfulMomFood!
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    About Danielle Fahrenkrug

    Danielle Fahrenkrug is the writer and photographer behind Delightful Mom Food. She is a mama of two young boys and loves food, family, friends, and Jesus with a passion for wine, coffee, and cauliflower crusted pizza. Danielle is also the author for Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Baking Cookbook, Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cookbook, Dairy-Free Cookbook for Kids and is a certified health and nutrition life coach.

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    Comments

    1. Annie says

      October 25, 2019 at 10:03 pm

      Could you run the cooked apples through a juicer Instead of cheese cloth, or will they just turn into mush?

      Reply
      • Danielle | Delightful Mom Food says

        October 27, 2019 at 7:28 pm

        Honestly, I have never tried running it through a juicer, so I do not know. They are very soft after cooking. If you do, remove any seeds as they are toxic (more-so in high doses).

        Reply
    2. Hannah says

      November 5, 2018 at 7:19 pm

      Have you canned this? If yes, at what details? And what is the shelf life of this recipe if canned?

      Reply
      • Danielle | Delightful Mom Food says

        November 5, 2018 at 8:49 pm

        I have never canned foods before but found this article on How To Can Apple Cider – https://practicalselfreliance.com/canning-apple-cider/ which gives canning details. It has a shelf life of 9 months in the pantry.

        Reply
    3. Briney says

      October 21, 2018 at 3:09 pm

      How long will this last in the fridge

      Reply
      • Danielle at Delightful Mom Food says

        October 22, 2018 at 1:03 pm

        It will last up to 5 days but I suggest drinking it within 3 days.

        Reply
    4. Jan says

      November 27, 2017 at 2:49 pm

      Do you think I could make your apple cider recipe in a pressure cooker? I love the simplicity of this recipe with the healthy ingredients. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

      Reply
      • Danielle at Delightful Mom Food says

        November 27, 2017 at 3:24 pm

        Although I have not cooked it myself in a pressure cooker, I think it should work fine. Just keep an eye on it that it has enough liquid and it is ready when it is soft and some of the liquid is evaporated.

        Reply
    5. Tiffany says

      October 6, 2015 at 4:57 pm

      How many servings will this make?

      Reply
      • Danielle @DelightfulMomFood says

        October 7, 2015 at 3:22 am

        About 8 Servings. It is so flavorful and if you want less condensed flavores that is where more filtered water is ok to add.

        Reply

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    Danielle Fahrenkrug | Recipe Developer
    Hi, and welcome to Delightful Mom Food - I am thrilled you are here! Here you will find traditional recipes that I transform into healthier versions the whole family enjoys, because eating healthy should be delicious and mean you can still enjoy your favorite foods! I am a food photographer, writer, 3x cookbook author, and certified health and nutrition life coach.
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