Apple cider is the quintessential drink for fall, offering a warm, comforting experience with every sip. This fragrant, spiced beverage evokes images of cozy afternoons, falling leaves, and crisp autumn air. Whether served hot or cold, apple cider is a refreshing treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. It’s a drink that not only satisfies your taste buds but also creates a sense of warmth and nostalgia with its sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
The magic of apple cider lies in its simplicity. Freshly pressed apple juice, with a blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, creates a beverage that is both sweet and aromatic. For a warm version, the cider is gently heated, allowing the spices to infuse and create a soothing, spiced drink. The rich flavors of apple and spice are perfect for sipping as the weather cools, making it an ideal companion for chilly days, holiday celebrations, or family gatherings.
If you prefer a chilled version, apple cider can be served over ice, offering a refreshing and slightly tart option for those warm autumn days. You can even make it into a festive cocktail by adding a splash of rum or bourbon, transforming it into a spiked treat for adult gatherings. For those who enjoy a bit of extra sweetness, a drizzle of honey or a slice of orange can be added to enhance the flavor and balance the natural tartness of the apples.
This cider is also a versatile base for other recipes, from apple cider donuts to marinades for meats. The possibilities are endless, but nothing quite beats enjoying a steaming mug on a crisp fall day, watching the leaves turn colors, and the world slow down for a moment. Whether you’re sipping it solo or serving it at a gathering, apple cider is the drink that perfectly captures the essence of autumn.
Ingredients
- 10 apples medium, quartered, any variety
- 1 orange whole, quartered
- 5 sticks cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cloves whole
- 1 star anise whole, optional
- 1/2 cup brown sugar or to taste
- 16 cups water
Instructions
- Place apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a large pot. Add the water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, or until the apples are soft.
- Mash the mixture using a potato masher or wooden spoon to release the flavors.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot, discarding solids.
- Add brown sugar to the strained cider and stir to dissolve. Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Simmer for an additional 30 minutes, then serve hot.
Nutrition
This is the best apple cider I’ve ever made! So much flavor! 😍
I tried this recipe last week and agree! It turned out so delicious! I didn’t even think it would be this good! 😄
Sounds good, but do you think 5 sticks of cinnamon is too much? Seems like it could be overwhelming. 😕
Wow! Just like my grandma used to make. Nostalgia overload! 🍎
Hot cider is best on a rainy day. Try it out!
Totally agree! Rainy days and hot cider are a match made in heaven. ☔️
Really? You gonna boil apples for 2 hours? Sounds silly. Won’t they turn to mush??
This was so easy to make! My family loved it. Perfect for fall.
Perfect for the fall! Smells amazing while it’s cooking.
Absolutely love this recipe! The cider turned out so delicious and fragrant. Perfect for fall! 🍏🍂
Thank you! It’s really nice to hear you enjoyed it! Fall flavors are the best! 🍁
Why do people put cloves in cider? I don’t get it. I’m not a fan of clove honestly. 🤷♂️
It took forever to clean up. Theres always a mess in the kitchen.
I wonder how it would taste with ginger instead of cloves? Anyone tried that?
I think ginger would be great! It might give it a nice spicy kick. I’ve done that before with other recipes and loved it!
Can you use other fruits? I only have pears. Do they work the same way?
Not even gonna bother. I can’t boil water without making a mess.
Cider = happy time. Makes the house smell amazing! 👍
The star anise really made it special! 🌟 I never would’ve thought!
Cider is just not my fav. I prefer lemon drink!
I tried this recipe, but it turned out way too sweet for my taste.
I get that! Maybe try reducing the sugar next time? You can always add a little honey if you want some sweetness.
Apple cider? What’s this, I don’t even drink apple juice. Will it taste like that?
Love the orange flavor in this! Super cozy drink for chilly nights.
Absolutely! The orange really adds a zing to it. Perfect for winter gatherings!
One of the best homemade drinks I’ve made! My family couldn’t get enough of it. The orange really adds a nice twist.
I’m glad to hear that! The orange really does make it special. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Really easy to follow and delicious! Made it for my family and they loved it!
Love this! I didn’t have oranges so I used lemon. Still good!
This was so yummy! Perfect for fall! 🍏🍂
It bubbled and smelled so good! But I thought cloves was for cookies? 😂
This smells incredible while it’s simmering. I used less cloves than the recipe and it still tasted bold—like cozy cider from a market stand.
This is the easiest “fancy” drink ever. I’m not even an apple person but the whole kitchen smells insane. I served it with sparkling water and it felt like a cafe drink.
I tried it but my cider came out kinda strong/medicinal? Maybe I used too many cloves—also I didn’t have star anise so I left it out (still good though). Tips on dialing it back?
Yes!! I made this last weekend and my apartment smelled like a holiday store. I’m also not an “apple” person normally, but the orange + cinnamon is such a cheat code.
Too sweet for my taste. I only used half the sugar but still didn’t like it. Maybe good for kids?
Question: do you really need to use whole star anise? I didn’t have it so I used ground anise instead and I think I ruined it… maybe I used way more than I should’ve. Still, it was drinkable.
You *don’t* really need whole star anise—it’s optional. Ground anise can work, but it’s much stronger, so a little goes a long way. If you used a lot, yeah, it’ll taste weird/medicinal. I’d say next time use less and taste as you go.
Eww, this is way too sweet. 1/2 cup of sugar is insane! 😩
I added some ginger and it made a big difference! Highly recommend. ⚠️
Ginger? Really? Isn’t that too much? Cider should be sweet with cinnamon. 🤔
I didn’t think ginger would go well with cider, but I might try it now! Thanks for the tip! 😊
I dunno, I tried it but mine turned out kinda sour. Maybe I used too many apples?
Yuck! This was not what I was expecting. I thought it would taste more like store-bought cider. Won’t be making again.
This cider recipe is amazing! Just perfect for fall. 🍏🍂
I don’t know, it was kinda bland for me. Maybe I should’ve added more sugar or something 🤷♂️.
Isn’t 16 cups of water too much? I don’t know, just seems like too much water for it.
I thought so too at first, but it really helps to get all the flavors out. Trust the process!
I made this for my kids. They love it! It’s great for parties.
I used white sugar instead and it was fine. Good recipe.
How can it take 2 hours? Isn’t that too long? Can’t we speed it up?
2 hours is what it takes to get all the flavors out of the apples and spices! Trust me, it’s worth it.
Seems like a long time for just juice though. Can’t you just blend it for quicker results?
I tried this but it was too sweet for me. Should’ve used less brown sugar.
My grandma made this every year! Bringing back memories.
Cider is usually warm, but this year it’s cool I guess.