Apple Cider
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Easy homemade Apple Cider that’s full of flavors from apples, oranges and spices. Simmer the ingredients on the stovetop, mash and strain and serve. Don’t forget the apple slices and cinnamon sticks!

Making apple cider is a tradition at our house and I have the easiest recipe for you to try. If you love fresh apples, warm spices, and the aroma of fall filling your house you have got to try it!
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- You don’t need any special equipment! This is an easy stovetop cider recipe.
- You can serve it hot or cold! I have to admit I love warm apple cider, but serving it chilled is great, too, especially when it’s warm outside.
- It’s great for parties because you can serve spiked apple cider for the adults and plain for the kiddos. You can also turn it into a sparkling apple cider!
- You can easily adjust the sweetness so it’s perfect for you.
I’m so excited to share this apple cider recipe with you – it’s one of my favorites to make all through the fall! It goes perfectly with a slice of pumpkin bread or a banana muffin as a sweet afternoon treat.
How to Make Spiced Apple Cider
What makes this recipe so easy is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time prepping and chopping the ingredients.
Basically, all you do is simmer them all together to extract their flavor and then strain the liquid so you are left with golden, flavorful cider.
I like to use an assortment of apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Gala which combine to make a cider that is sweet with a little tartness. Or you can use all of the same kind if you want!
They are simmered with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice and fresh oranges for a few hours. Can I just tell you how amazing apple cider smells while it cooks? It’s an added bonus!
For a sweetener, I use brown sugar and you can easily adjust the amount to suit your own tastes. I recommend starting with less and tasting it before you add more.
Once you have your ingredients it’s an easy four step process!
- Place all of the ingredients in a large pot and cover with them with water.
- Simmer them for two hours or until the apples are very soft. Mash the apples and oranges and them simmer it for one more hour.
- Strain the cider with a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer. Press on the solids to extract all of the liquid and then discard them.
- Add brown sugar and stir until it dissolves.
Pro Tips
Using whole spices makes a big difference! Whole cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks stay fresher longer and also won’t leave any gritty spices in your drink.
Make mulled apple cider with my homemade mulling spices! Just sub the mulled spices with the ones in the recipe.
Dress up your homemade apple cider and garnish each serving with cinnamon sticks, sliced apples, and sliced oranges.
If you are making it for a party, transfer it to a slow cooker and set it to low. Your guests can help themselves to mugs of warm cider!
You can make sparkling apple cider by chilling it first and then mixing it with sparkling water or club soda. Or serve hot or cold spiked with bourbon, rum, or vodka!
This is seriously the best apple cider recipe! I can’t imagine not making at least a few batches of it during the fall – once you try it, I think you’ll feel the same way! It’s warm, cozy and the perfect fall drink.
Want More Fall Drink Recipes?
- You’ll skip the café after you make your own Homemade Chai Tea! I show you how to make one that is better than any coffee shop’s version!
- Pumpkin Hot Chocolate is another warm drink I love to make on chilly days! It combines real pumpkin with spices for a chocolate treat you will love.
- If you’re feeling under the weather you will love a Hot Toddy. It’s a soothing spiked drink that is perfect when you need a little comfort.
- Copycat Starbuck’s Medicine Ball Tea is a combo of lemonade, mint tea, and honey that is soothing and delicious.
- Make this Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea at home!
- Be sure to try Homemade White Chocolate that is so easy to make and ready in minutes!
Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your drink!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 10-12 medium apples assorted such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Gala
- 2 oranges peeled and sectioned
- 1 Tbsp whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 whole nutmeg
- 16-20 cups water
- ½ to 1 c. brown sugar depending on taste
Instructions
- Clean and cut apples and oranges. Add them to a large stock pot. Then add seasonings. Cover with water.
- Heat stockpot over high heat until simmering. Continue to simmer about 2 hours or until apples are very soft
- Mash apples and oranges with a potato masher or large wooden spoon against the side of the pot. Cover mixture and simmer for another hour.
- Carefully strain solids from cider using a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, pressing solids against the strainer to release the juices. Discard the solids left in strainer or cheesecloth.
- Add brown sugar to taste. Stir to mix and dissolve.
- Serve warm, room temperature or chilled with apple slices and cinnamon stick, if desired
Tips
- Using whole spices makes a big difference! Whole cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks stay fresher longer and also won’t leave any gritty spices in your drink.
- Dress up your homemade apple cider and garnish each serving with cinnamon sticks, sliced apples, and sliced oranges.
- If you are making it for a party, transfer it to a slow cooker and set it to low. Your guests can help themselves to mugs of warm cider!
- You can make sparkling apple cider by chilling it first and then mixing it with sparkling water or club soda. Or serve hot or cold spiked with bourbon, rum, or vodka!
Ashley says
Love how simple this is to make! So warm and comforting!
Julie says
Totally agree! Glad you loved it!
Ashley says
So easy and so delicious! Great for kids too. We loved it.
Julie says
Yes! So glad it was a hit!