This Homemade Apple Cider is a warm, spiced drink made by simmering fresh apples with cinnamon, allspice, water, and a little sugar, then mashing and straining the fruit for a smooth, full-flavored cider. It’s one of our favorite holiday drinks once the weather cools down.
For the best flavor, we like using a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Honeycrisp or Gala with Granny Smith. The different apples give the cider more depth, while a long, gentle simmer pulls out plenty of fresh apple flavor. We also strain it twice so the finished cider is smooth and easy to sip.
This recipe takes a little time on the stove, but the steps are simple and most of the cooking is hands-off. Serve it warm for fall parties and holidays, or chill it for later. For more fall favorites, try our Pumpkin Bread, Snickerdoodles, and Caramel Apple Dip.
Why You’ll Love It + Why It Works:
- Full Apple Flavor. A mix of sweet and tart apples gives the cider more depth and keeps it from tasting overly sweet.
- Simple Ingredients. Fresh apples, warm spices, water, and sugar come together with very little prep.
- Great for Holidays. Serve it warm for parties and gatherings, or chill it ahead of time for an easy make-ahead drink.
- Gentle Simmer Builds Flavor. Slowly cooking the apples and spices helps pull out plenty of fresh apple flavor without making the cider taste harsh.
- Double Straining Keeps It Smooth. Straining first through a fine-mesh sieve and then through cheesecloth gives the cider a smoother finish.
Apple Cider Ingredients
- Apples (10 large, use a mix of sweet and tart apples): A combination of sweet and tart apples gives the cider more depth and keeps it from tasting overly sweet. We like using 5 Honeycrisp or Gala apples with 5 Granny Smith apples. Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Pink Lady are also good sweet options, while Cortland or McIntosh can add more tartness.
- Sweet apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady
- Tart apples: Granny Smith, Cortland, McIntosh
- Water (up to 16 cups, or enough to cover the apples): Provides the simmering base that extracts the apple flavor and creates the cider.
- Sugar (¾ cup, or to taste): Sweetens the cider, but the amount needed will depend on the apples you use. Start with less if your apples are very sweet, then add more after straining if needed.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Adds warm spice that defines classic cider flavor.
- Ground allspice (1 tablespoon): Adds warm spice with hints of clove and pepper that deepen the cider flavor.
- Cinnamon sticks (6): Infuse gentle spice and aroma during the long simmer.
- Cloves and nutmeg, optional: Add just a pinch for more flavor and reduce allspice in half if using.
- Orange – peeled and quartered (1), optional: Citrus balances the sweetness of the apples and works well with the spices
How to Make Apple Cider
PREP. Quarter each apple and remove the core. Place apple slices in a large stockpot and add water.
Add enough water to cover the apples. Depending on the size of your pot and apples, you may not need every cup.
SIMMER. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and any optional spices. If using the orange, add it now. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover and continue simmering gently for 2 hours.
MASH. Once the apples are very soft, lightly mash them with a potato masher or sturdy spoon to release more juice and flavor.
STRAIN. Carefully strain the apple mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Set the solids aside if you plan to use them for applesauce or apple butter. Line the sieve with cheesecloth and strain the cider again.
TASTE and ADJUST. After straining, taste the cider. Add more sugar if needed, or a splash of hot water if the flavor is too concentrated.
ENJOY! Serve warm, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours until cold.
Cider Variations
- Sparkling Apple Cider: Chill and top with sparkling water.
- Caramel Apple Cider: Top warm cider with whipped cream and caramel.
- Extra Spiced: Add a cinnamon stick to each mug.
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.
- Cinnamon + Cinnamon Sticks. We use both. Ground spices give the cider stronger flavor, while cinnamon sticks add a gentler infused spice and make the cider more aromatic.
- Mash apples lightly after simmering for deeper flavor, then strain well.
- Strain twice. For a smoother, clearer cider, strain through a fine-mesh sieve first, then again through cheesecloth.
- Garnish. Garnish with freshly sliced apples and cinnamon sticks. Add them to the serving pitcher or to the individual glasses.
- Crockpot. Add the apples, water, sugar, and spices to a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours, then mash, strain, and adjust the sweetness as directed.
Apple Cider Recipe
Equipment
- fine mesh seive
Ingredients
- 10 large apples we use 5 Gala or 5 Honeycrisp with 5 Granny Smith apples
- 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. Add enough water to cover the apples. Depending on the size of your pot and apples, you may not need every cup.
- Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and any optional spices. If using the orange, add it now. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover and continue simmering gently for 2 hours.
- Once the apples are very soft, lightly mash them with a potato masher or sturdy spoon to release more juice and flavor.
- Carefully strain the apple mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Set the solids aside if you plan to use them for applesauce or apple butter. Line the sieve with cheesecloth and strain the cider again.
- Taste and adjust. After straining, taste the cider. Add more sugar if needed, or a splash of hot water if the flavor is too concentrated.
- Serve warm, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours until cold.
Notes
- Do not peel the apples. Skins add flavor and color; just core and quarter as written.
- Cinnamon + Cinnamon Sticks. We use both. Ground spices give the cider stronger flavor, while cinnamon sticks add a gentler infused spice and make the cider more aromatic.
- Mash apples lightly after simmering for deeper flavor, then strain well.
- Strain twice. For a smoother, clearer cider, strain through a fine-mesh sieve first, then again through cheesecloth.
- Garnish. Garnish with freshly sliced apples and cinnamon sticks. Add them to the serving pitcher or to the individual glasses.
Slow cooker directions. To make, add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–8 hours, stirring occasionally. Continue with Steps 3 and 4. Variations. For caramel apple cider, stir in 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce before serving. Waste not. Instead of discarding the apples after straining the cider, transfer the cooked, soft apples to a food processor and blend to make applesauce. Add cinnamon or other spices to taste.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQ
Yes. Use less sugar to start, especially if your apples are naturally sweet, then taste and adjust after straining.
Use a mix of sweet and tart apples, mash the softened fruit before straining, and simmer a little longer if needed to concentrate the flavor.
Store homemade apple cider in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Leave at least 2 inches of headspace in a freezer-safe container so the cider has room to expand. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat gently and add a splash of water if needed.
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This recipe was originally published October 2021.
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.