This gluten-free Homemade Apple Cider recipe is full of flavor thanks to sweet and juicy apples, ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, oranges, and your sweetener of choice. {Vegan and/or Paleo}
I don’t know where you’re at in your fall/winter culinary repertoire, but I will tell you it’s CIDER TIME in our house. Omigosh. The sweet and aromatic flavors of this simple apple cider recipe are where fall and winter and early spring shine. Fluffy sweaters, buttery blankets, and warm mugs of deliciousness. I WILL say yes to that. Homemade Apple Cider understands this and pairs well with all the aforementioned fall and winter and early spring examples.
This particular apple cider recipe is prepared in a stockpot. I love this recipe because it produces an apple-y…that’s a word, right? Apple-y?…anyway, an apple-y flavor. It’s light, delicate, and smooth. And once you’ve made a batch, there’s no going back to store-bought cider.
OKAY. When I made a batch, there was no going back to store-bought cider. I LOVE playing around with flavors and sweetness levels and changing the ingredient quantities up, if I’m so inclined. If you’re #same, then let’s do this.
I said it just a few paragraphs ago, and I’ll say it again. It’s cider time.
What apples should you use in a cider recipe?
Here’s the thing. I use whatever apples I’m in the mood for. Or whatever is available at the store, if I’m being honest. Any of the following are worth trying:
- Pink Lady
- Granny Smith
- Gala
- Honeycrisp
- Fuji
Experiment with mixing and matching apples for more flavor variations. I often pair a sour variety with a sweeter variety.
Why go to the trouble of making your own Homemade Apple Cider?
Aside from the smell it produces, which I may have already mentioned, this recipe is:
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free
- Low in added sugar (you control how much you add)
- Full of delicious spices
- Easy to store (we use glass jars)
Did I also mention this homemade apple cider smells really freaking good? Cider on fleek, if you will.
Tips to prepare Homemade Apple Cider in a stockpot
To make this, I rinsed the apples and sliced them into quarters. Leaving the skins on, I dumped them into 16 cups of water in my stockpot, added the spices, cinnamon sticks, oranges, and sweetener, and that’s about it. A third of the way though simmering time, I did come back and mash everything with my potato masher. By then the apples were soft enough to mash, the spices had started to set in, and the flavor was starting to take hold.
Once the mixture has simmered a full three hours, it’s time to strain it. I absolutely highly suggest you use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this, and I also suggest you repeat the straining process at least one more time, if not more. I found that with each strain, I was able to reduce the grittiness of the recipe without sacrificing the flavor.
If a sludge collects in the strainer, then, using the rounded side of a large spoon or ladle, gently press the sludge in circular motions. This releases the juice without forcing the sludge through the strainer.
Store this magic in glass jars for a few days or freeze for 3-6 months. Plan to shake it before consuming as many of the spices will collect at the bottom of the container. Enjoy hot or cold. Add apple slices, orange slices, star anise, or cinnamon sticks for added flavor and flair.
Because flavor and flair are important. Always.
More warm hugs in a mug!
If you’re in the mood for more warm drinks, then check out these warm hugs in a mug!
Spiriteds, I hope this cider recipe finds you well! Stay wild and know I’m glad you’re here!
Homemade Apple Cider
This gluten-free Homemade Apple Cider recipe is full of flavor thanks to juicy apples, ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, oranges, and your sweetener of choice. {Vegan and/or paleo}
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 8 cups 1x
- Category: Beverages (Non-Alcoholic)
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 16 cups filtered water
- 10 apples, cored and quartered
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks, optional
- 1 tbsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves, optional
- 1 large or 2-3 small oranges, peeled (optional)
- 1/2 – 1 cup agave nectar (vegan), honey (paleo), or maple syrup (vegan and paleo)
Instructions
- In a stockpot, combine the water, apples, ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, allspice, ground cloves, oranges, and sweetener. Set heat to LOW to MEDIUM and simmer, covered, for one hour.
- Add sliced apples, spices, sweetener, and oranges, and simmer, covered, for one hour.
- After one hour, gently mash the ingredients in the stockpot with a potato masher and continue to simmer, covered, for another two hours. Let cool.
- Discard the apple slices, oranges, and cinnamon sticks. Then, using a mesh strainer, pour the cider through the strainer into a large bowl. Repeat this process another 1-2 times or until the gritty particles are removed and the cider tastes and feels smooth.
- Store apple cider in glass jars for about a week in the refrigerator or 3-6 months in the freezer.
Notes
- Cider yields will vary, depending on how much liquid is lost to evaporation. To reduce the amount of liquid lost, select a LOW to MEDIUM heat setting and let the ingredients simmer for the full three hours without coming to a boil.
- If a sludge collects in the strainer during Step 4, then use the rounded side of a spoon or ladle to gently massage the apple cider in circular motions through the strainer and into the bowl.
- When the cider is refrigerated, contents will settle. Shake the jar or stir the contents prior to reheating in a microwave.
I looove apples! And this looks so nice ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
Thank you! We love apples, too!