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Homemade Apple Cider

A warmly spiced homemade apple cider prepared by slowly cooking a combination of sweet and tart apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. The finished cider is strained twice to create a smooth, richly flavored drink with a fragrant autumn-style aroma.
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Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Homemade Apple Cider
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours

Ingredients

  • 4 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon ground allspice
  • 10 medium apples cut into quarters; for balanced flavor, use a combination of sweet and tart varieties such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • Water enough to cover the pressed-down apples by approximately 2 inches

Instructions

  • Place the quartered apples in a large stockpot. Pour in enough water so that, when the floating apples are gently pushed beneath the surface, they are covered by roughly 2 inches of water.
  • Add the packed light brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and ground allspice. Stir until the sugar and spices are evenly incorporated throughout the mixture.
  • Set the uncovered stockpot over high heat and bring the apple mixture to a vigorous boil. Continue boiling for approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally so the sugar dissolves thoroughly and the ingredients do not adhere to the bottom of the pot.
  • After the 1-hour boiling period, cover the stockpot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 hours, checking periodically to ensure it maintains a quiet simmer without boiling over. During this stage, the apples should become very soft and the flavors will fully infuse the liquid.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and allow the cooked apple mixture to cool slightly so it is easier to handle.
  • Position a cheesecloth-lined strainer or a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl. Carefully pour the apple mixture through the strainer, gently pressing the softened solids to release as much liquid as possible.
  • Discard the remaining apple solids. Pass the collected liquid through the cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve once more to remove any remaining particles and produce a smoother, clearer cider.
  • Serve the finished homemade apple cider as desired.
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