Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This homemade apple cider recipe is easy to make with 7 ingredients in the slow cooker. Fresh apples, rich fall spices and a touch of sweetness makes the most delicious apple cider you’ll ever taste – better than store-bought varieties!

two glasses of Apple Cider


This homemade apple cider recipe is made with fresh apples, rich fall spices and is better than any store-bought cider I’ve ever tried. Simply combine the seven ingredients in a slow cooker and let it simmer all day.

One thing I love about this recipe is that it’s a great way to “clear the fruit drawer!” Have some apples that are past their prime? Turn them into delicious apple cider! Or try these apple pie bars or apple cake – yum!

Seriously, my house smells amazing while this apple cider is cooking in the crockpot – better than any fall-scented candle! And, it’s the most delicious way to warm up on a chilly fall day (along with homemade hot chocolate, of course).

two glass mugs filled with Apple Cider and orange and apple slices

Homemade Apple Cider: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
  • Apples. Pick your favorite variety or use a combination of different types of apples. I recommend pink lady, honey crisp, gala, jazz, granny smith, etc. A sweet/tart variety is my favorite.
  • Orange. Any type of orange works well in this recipe.
  • Cinnamon Sticks. you can substitute ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for the sticks if you prefer, but I recommend cinnamon sticks.
  • Whole Cloves and Allspice berries. there aren’t substitutions for these ingredients, but I do need to add a note. Do not just haphazardly dump spices into this recipe. Using too many spices will result in bitter apple cider.
  • Ground nutmeg. you can substitute one whole nutmeg for the ground, if you prefer. However whole nutmeg is difficult to find, and when I use it to make this apple cider recipe I find it leaves a bitter taste that we don’t prefer. Ground nutmeg imparts the perfect amount of flavor.
  • Light brown sugar. Use your favorite sweetener, if desired. Suggestions include: dark brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, and maple syrup.
  • Water. I suggest using filtered water for the best results.
two glass mugs filled with Apple Cider and orange and apple slices

How to Make Apple Cider

Now we will walk through how to make apple cider step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin making this apple cider recipe by putting the apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg and brown sugar in the container of a slow cooker (at least 5-quart capacity).

Then, pour water over the ingredients in the crock pot until covered by about ½” (this is usually about 10 to 12 cups of water).

two photos showing How to Make Apple Cider - adding ingredients to crockpot

Next, stir the mixture gently with a wooden spoon to combine.

Then, turn the crockpot on to high and cook the mixture for 4 hours.

two photos showing How to Make Apple Cider - ingredients in crockpot before and after cooking

After 4 hours, remove the orange pieces and discard them.

Then, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples (this should be easy to do because the apples are cooked and soft).

two photos showing How to Make Apple Cider - removing the oranges and mashing the apples

Continue cooking on high for an additional 1 hour, with the lid about halfway ajar.

two photos showing How to Make Apple Cider - mashing the apples, and the mixture after cooking an additional hour

After one hour, strain the mixture through a fine metal sieve into a large glass bowl (I use an 8 cup batter bowl, this recipe makes about 8 cups or 2 L).

Gently press out the liquid from the apple mixture in the strainer into the bowl.  (note: if you have a smaller strainer you may need to do this in a few batches. Discard the apple/spice mixture after you have pressed the liquid out, then repeat with another portion).

two photos showing How to Make Apple Cider - straining the cider through a fine metal sieve

Transfer the cider to chill overnight (this allows the flavor to blend and the sweetness to intensify), or serve immediately. Reheat to serve warm.

two photos showing How to Make Apple Cider - pouring cider into a glass jar

Store

Store in the refrigerator in two, quart-sized glass jars with lids for up to 1 week.  Or if you have a larger glass jar use that instead!

A glass jar with a lid filled with homemade apple cider

Serve

Serve this homemade apple cider warm with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg or some slices of oranges/apples in it for presentation!

I enjoy this apple cider with some of our favorite fall recipes:

two glass mugs filled with homemade apple cider

Apple Cider Recipe FAQs

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?

Yes, instead of using the crockpot you can use a large stockpot and simmer the ingredients, covered, for 2 hours. Then remove the oranges, mash the apples and cook for an additional 1 hour, then follow the recipe.

Can I use more spices?

I suggest sticking to the recipe here. Using too many spices will make the cider bitter.

What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider?

Apple juice is strained and pasteurized, while cider is not. Cider is also typically cooked with spices.

What are the best apples for cider?

You can choose your favorite apple variety or use a combination. My top suggestions are:
Honeycrisp
Pink Lady
Jazz
Granny Smith (combined with a sweeter apple)
Gala
McIntosh

two glass mugs filled with Apple Cider and orange and apple slices

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Laura
This homemade apple cider recipe is easy to make with 7 ingredients in the slow cooker. Fresh apples, rich fall spices and a pinch of sweetness makes the most delicious apple cider you'll ever taste – better than store-bought varieties!
5 from 4 votes
Course beverage, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Servings (0.5 cup)
Calories 79
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 pounds apples (about 12, cored & quartered)
  • 1 orange (quartered and unpeeled)
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp allspice berries
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg (or 1 whole nutmeg)
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar (or honey, dark brown sugar, maple syrup, coconut sugar, etc.)
  • 10-12 cups water

Instructions 

  • Put apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg and brown sugar in the container of a slow cooker (at least 5 quarts).
  • Pour water over the ingredients in the crock pot until covered by about ½” (this is usually about 10 cups water), stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
  • Turn crockpot on to high and cook the mixture for 4 hours.
  • After 4 hours, remove the orange pieces and discard them.
  • Then, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples (this should be easy to do).
  • Continue cooking on high for an additional 1 hour, with the lid about halfway ajar.
  • Strain the mixture through a fine metal sieve into a large glass bowl (I use an 8 cup batter bowl, this recipe makes about 8 cups or 2 L).
  • Gently press out the liquid from the apple mixture in the strainer into the bowl. (note: if you have a smaller strainer you may need to do this in a few batches. Discard the apple/spice mixture after you have pressed the liquid out, then repeat with another portion).
  • Transfer the cider to chill overnight (this allows the flavor to blend and the sweetness to intensify), or serve immediately. Reheat to serve warm.
  • Store in a glass jar with a lid for up to 1 week.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • Apples. Pick your favorite variety or use a combination of different types of apples. I recommend pink lady, honey crisp, gala, jazz, granny smith, etc. A sweet/tart variety is my favorite.
  • Orange. Any type of orange works well in this recipe.
  • Cinnamon Sticks. you can substitute ½ tsp ground cinnamon for the sticks if you prefer, but I recommend cinnamon sticks.
  • Whole Cloves and Allspice berries. there aren’t substitutions for these ingredients, but I do need to add a note. Do not just haphazardly dump spices into this recipe. Using too many spices will result in bitter apple cider.
  • Ground nutmeg. you can substitute one whole nutmeg for the ground, if you prefer. However whole nutmeg is difficult to find, and when I use it to make this apple cider recipe I find it leaves a bitter taste that we don’t prefer. Ground nutmeg imparts the perfect amount of flavor.
  • Light brown sugar. Use your favorite sweetener, if desired. Suggestions include: dark brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, and maple syrup.
  • Water. I suggest using filtered water for the best results.
Make on Stovetop
You can use a large stockpot and simmer the ingredients, covered, for 2 hours. Then remove the oranges, mash the apples and cook for an additional 1 hour, then follow the recipe.
Store
Store in the refrigerator in two, quart-sized glass jars with lids for up to 1 week.  Or if you have a larger glass jar use that instead!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Apple recipes




latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




1 Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Nice recipe for cider: I appreciate the attention to detail and your preemptive answers to basic questions within the recipe itself. Very easy to follow. Delicious final product.