About the Recipe
Cozy, spiced, and perfectly simple — this homemade apple cider fills the kitchen with the scent of fall. Made with fresh apples, warm spices, and a hint of brown sugar, it’s the kind of comfort drink that tastes like sweater weather in a mug. Check out our TikTok and YouTube channels for the full video.
Ingredients
10–12 medium apples (a mix of sweet + tart — think Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith)
1 orange, quartered (optional: peel if you prefer less bitterness)
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon whole allspice (optional but adds depth)
½ cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
10 cups water
Preparation
Prep the fruit. Wash and quarter the apples — no need to peel or core. Add them to a large stockpot with the orange slices.
Add the flavor. Toss in cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice. Pour in the water and bring everything to a boil.
Simmer. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 1 hour. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Mash & simmer again. Use a potato masher to gently crush the softened fruit, then simmer for another 30–45 minutes.
Strain. Carefully pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into another large pot or pitcher, pressing to extract all that spiced goodness.
Sweeten. Stir in the brown sugar while the cider is still warm. Adjust sweetness to taste.
Serve warm with a cinnamon stick or a drizzle of caramel — or chill for later and enjoy cold over ice.
Optional Twist: Spiked Apple Cider
Warm gently with:
1½ oz spiced rum or bourbon per serving
Optional garnish: orange peel, star anise, or a cinnamon sugar rim