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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.
I personally like a lot of Apple flavor in my cider. This was too watered down for me. I think it would be great with less water.
Totally fair! If you love bold apple flavor, cutting back on the water is a great idea.
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.
Hi !
I’m wondering on how many cups or ml of apple cider does this recipe make ?
Since the recipe says to cover the pot while you simmer, not much water will evaporate. You should end up with very close to the full 16 cups, maybe just a bit less.
While I personally do not care for apple cider, I enjoy creating edibles or drinks to clear out the refrigerator. I had 6 apples (unknown variety) in the refrigerator and the rest of the ingredients and placed them into a slow cooker for approximately 9 hours. When I remembered, I would squish the apples with a spoon to perhaps make the cider a bit thicker. In the morning before work, I used a strainer and pureed the apples and skins for an apple sauce. My husband has mentioned how this is the best apple cider he has ever drank. Coming from him, that truly is a compliment. He’s usually my guinea pig for recipes. The apple sauce was a hit for my husband and the friends I gave a jar to. I appreciate that this recipe is so simple, little work and easily adapted for smaller/larger portions. I was going to freeze some but it was consumed within 3 days.
ok
Use this recipe .. you won’t be disappointed!!!
Super easy, tastes wonderful, and makes your home smell like the holidays (which is such an amazing bonus for me)
Thank you sooo much for sharing this cider recipe!
This was my first time ever making cider! It was so amazing and easy. I absolutely loved this recipe! I have a question though, I normally like thicker apple cider I’m not sure if that sounds weird lol. But the store bought kind from Target is my favorite because it’s not watery it’s a little thicker. Is there a way I can thicken the cider with this recipe?
I think I saw somewhere that if you mash up the apples a little in the pot it might make it thicker and give more flavor
I didn’t have all spice so I put 1/2 tsp of nutmeg and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon on top of the other tbsp and sticks of cinnamon. Nevertheless it’s now overpowering. Any suggestions to reduce the taste of cinnamon?
Hey Lisa, im in the boat as you. I googled it, and one source suggested adding cloves and black peppercorns to the nutmeg and cinnamon to make an allspice substitute. So thats what I’m doing. I’ll let you know how it turns out….
This is my go-to recipe every Autumn.
Made this for the first time last Halloween and it was a huge hit.
Some drank it straight from the warming pot, others added shots of cinnamon whiskey. Requested for Christmas gathering and it was wiped out. Have it on schedule for 3 events this fall/ winter. Great recipe.
this is my favorite fall drink and I cannoth believe how easy it was to make! thak you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
This was beyond easy to make, and oh my gosh did it taste AMAZING!
so simple and spiced to perfection! Perfect for the fall season. A must-try recipe for apple lovers!
Made this a week ago X2 and another batch today X3. After 2 hour simmer, mashed apples with potato masher, strained and put liquid back in stock pot and simmer 1 more hour without lid to reduce because seemed kind of weak tasting.
Other than that, perfect!!!
hey, earlier in the post the recipe says to boil uncovered for one hour and then simmer for two hours but later it says to just simmer for two hours. i’m wondering which is the correct instructions. thank you!
This is looking so tasty and yummy apple cider recipe. I will surely make this recipe at home. Thank you for sharing this.
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy the cider.
I loved how this made the whole house smell AMAZING and drinking it was like an added gift. YUMMY!
Oh my goodness this was fabulous! My kids can’t wait to make this again for Halloween!
This apple cider was amazing, I love all of the flavors you get from simmering it for a while!! I will be using this recipe all of this fall and winter, it is the best comforting drink!
This is so much better than store-bought. It is one of our favorite after trick or treating traditions!
Yes!! Nothing like fresh apple cider in the fall!
I had no idea how easy it was to make apple cider! We drink this all winter! It warms the soul!
Love apple cider! Especially on a rainy day.