Ingredients
- 10-12 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Fuji, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp works best)
- 1 orange (optional, for added citrus flavor)
- 4-5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 8 cups water (or enough to cover the apples in the pot)
Instructions
- Wash fruit.
- Cut apples into quarters.
- Slice orange into thick rounds.
- Add apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg to a large pot.
- Pour water into pot, and make sure fruit is covered by at least 2” of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally
- Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash the softened fruit and simmer for another 30 minutes.
- Strain through fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing down on all solids to extract the juice.
It is time to taste the hot cider! If you want a sweeter cider, stir in some brown sugar, and adjust to taste. Serve the cider warm. If you have leftovers, store the cider in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it to thaw and drink later.
