Description
Making your own homemade apple cider is so easy with the help of a slow cooker (or cook it on the stovetop if you prefer). Delicious and fragrant, you’ll be making batch after batch of this easy homemade cider during apple season! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.
Ingredients
- 6 apples
- 1 orange
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 star anise
- 3-4 cloves
- 3-4 whole cardamom pods
- 5 tablespoons white sugar
- water
Instructions
- Wash and Cut Fruits: Wash the orange and apples, then cut into small pieces – cubes or slices. Remove the seeds from the apples and oranges.
- Place in Slow Cooker: Place the cut apples and oranges in the slow cooker, adding enough water until the water completely covers all of the fruit.
- Add Sugar and Spices: Add the sugar, cinnamon, anise, cloves and cardamom, mixing well.
- Cook: Cook in the slow cooker on the high setting for 1 ½ hours or on the low setting for 3 hours.
- Mash Fruit and Cook Some More: Mash the soft apples and oranges (so the flavor of the juices really shine). Continue cooking for another ½ hour on how or 1 hour on low.
- Strain Cider: Strain the apple cider twice to get rid of any pulp and other solids. (Alternatively, if you want some of the pulp, simply use kitchen tongs to remove the large pieces of apples, oranges and spices).
- Serve or Store: Serve the apple cider warm or let it cool before storing.
Notes
Apples: You can use the type of apples (Fuji apples, honeycrisp apples, pink lady apples or granny smith) you prefer depending on whether you prefer a sweeter or more tart taste.
Orange: Adding an orange gives a little bit of tartness to the apple cider, and contrasts well with the sweetness of the sugar.
Spices: I used whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and cardamom pods for creating a beautiful fall flavor in this homemade slow cooker apple cider.
Sugar: I used white sugar, but cane sugar or light brown sugar will work too.
No Slow Cooker? (Stovetop Option): If you don’t have a slow cooker, simply place the ingredients in a large stockpot and then bring to a boil before reducing to low and letting the ingredients simmer for 2 hours. Then mash the fruit, before simmering for another 1 hour. Strain to remove all the solids, and enjoy!
Storing: To store, place the leftover apple cider in a covered glass bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Western
