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Homemade Apple Cider Recipe is one of our go-to holiday drinks once things cool down. It’s cozy, fragrant, and a big pot of fall comfort you can sip warm or chill for later.
Our recipe has a mix of Gala and Honeycrisp apples that simmer with cinnamon and allspice for rich flavor, then gets strained twice for a smooth, golden cider.
It takes a few steps, but is simple and so delicious and is better than any store-bought version. If you’re planning a fall spread, try it with Lil’ Luna favorites like Pumpkin Bread, Snickerdoodles, and Caramel Apple Dip.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- So flavorful. Simple pantry spices and real apples make amazing flavor.
- Easy! No special equipment needed, just a big pot and a sieve.
- Warm or Cold. Perfect warm for gatherings or chilled for make ahead.
- Holiday perfection. Doubles easily for parties, gifts, and holiday brunch.
Apple Cider Ingredients
- Apples (10 large, we use 5 Gala and 5 Honeycrisp): A sweet, balanced blend that yields full flavor and natural body. We use 5 Gala and 5 Honeycrisp (two combos of sweet apples), but a combination of sweet and tart may be used as well. Other apples that work: Fuji, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Red Delicious + McIntosh.
- Water (16 cups): The simmering base that extracts flavor and creates the cider.
- Sugar (¾ cup): Enhances sweetness and rounds out tart notes, adjust to taste.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Adds warm spice that defines classic cider flavor.
- Ground allspice (1 tablespoon): Brings cozy complexity with clove and nutty notes.
- Cinnamon sticks (6): Infuse gentle spice and aroma during the long simmer.
How to Make Apple Cider
PREP. Quarter each apple and remove the core. Place apple slices in a large stockpot and add water.
SIMMER. Stir in spices. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover the pot with a lid and continue simmering for 2 hours.
STRAIN. Stir well, then carefully strain the apple mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard solids from the sieve. Line the sieve with cheesecloth and strain the cider again.
ENJOY! Serve warm, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours until cold.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Do not peel the apples. Skins add flavor and color; just core and quarter as written.
- Keep the simmer gentle, a rolling boil can taste harsh.
- Mash apples lightly after simmering for deeper flavor, then strain well.
- Clear. For crystal clear cider, strain a second time through cheesecloth as directed.
- Caramel apple cider. Stir in 2 tbsp of caramel sauce to the cider before serving.
- Garnish. Garnish with freshly sliced apples and cinnamon sticks. Add them to the serving pitcher or to the individual glasses.
- Crockpot Instructions: To make, simply cook on HIGH HEAT for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
Apple Cider Recipe
Equipment
- fine mesh seive
Video
Ingredients
- 10 large apples we use 5 Gala and 5 Honeycrisp
- 16 cups water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground allspice
- 6 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Quarter each apple and remove the core. Place apple slices in a large stockpot and add water.
- Stir in sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover the pot with a lid and continue simmering for 2 hours.
- Stir well, then carefully strain the apple mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard solids from the sieve. Line the sieve with cheesecloth and strain the cider again.
- Serve warm, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours until cold.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store homemade cider in the fridge in a closed container for up to 5 days
To freeze, all at least a 2-inch head space since the cider will expand during freezing and can rupture the container. Freeze up to 3 months, reheat gently and add a splash of water if it thicken.
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This recipe was originally published November 2020.
Barely any apple flavor at all. I followed directions and suggestions & frankly it wasn’t good at all.
I’m sorry to hear it didn’t turn out how you hoped. I appreciate you giving it a try.
Hello this looks really good! But I wanted to ask if I could make it without cinnamon sticks and just cinnamon because I feel like if I add 6 cinnamon sticks it will taste more like cinnamon and not apple cider. If not can I just add 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks?
Yes, you can absolutely use ground cinnamon instead! Just use about 2 teaspoons total if you skip the sticks. Or if you prefer a lighter cinnamon flavor, using 1 or 2 sticks works perfectly too.