One of my favorite things about fall is fresh apples and homemade apple cider. However, the store-bought stuff is no match for this recipe! It's sweet, delicious, and healthy! This comforting drink made with apples and spices will warm you from the inside out.
Using a sharp knife, slice each apple in half or quarter if using large apples—place in slow cooker insert. Cut the orange in half and put it in the slow cooker (optional).
Add the rest of the ingredients - cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, whole cloves, whole allspice, nutmeg, and ginger. Then add the desired amount of water.
Slow Cook the Cider
Cook on High for 3-4 hours - or until you can easily mash apples. It is okay if apples start falling apart because you're going to mash them later.
Mash the apples and orange with a potato masher; this releases all the juice and flavor from the apples.
Finishing Touches
Add more brown sugar to taste, adjust with more or less sugar to suit taste buds. Cook an additional 1-2 hours on low.
Strain the solids from the liquids using a fine sieve or cheesecloth - use whichever one you have on hand. Then let the cider drain into a large bowl or pitcher.
Discard solids (or use in spice cake) and store liquids in an airtight container, use within a week. You can also freeze it for later.
Notes
If you want a tasty homemade apple cider, you need tasty apples. And tasty apples smell wonderful.
Don’t waste the pulp. I also love making AppleSpice Cake. Just replace the ½ cup of vegetable oil with a ½ cup of leftover apple pulp. So delicious!
Alternatively, you can liquefy the apples in a blender, then strain them using a strainer or cheesecloth.
If you want to ferment this deliciousness for hard cider, then pour it into a glass bottle and cap it with an airlock. An airlock is necessary if you don’t want exploding bottles. Don’t ask!
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.