By Laurel Perry
Published Oct 7, 2024
I can’t think of a better autumn drink than a warm glass of homemade apple cider. I love it so much that I decided to learn how to make apple cider right at home, and it’s surprisingly easy! All I needed were apples, tangerines, spices, and a little bit of brown sugar. With a long simmer on the stove, this cider turned out so delicious!
I can’t believe I never tried my hand at homemade apple cider before. It’s so simple to make with just a few minutes of prep and lots of hands-free time on the stove. Simmering quartered apples– peels and all– makes this cider so flavorful. Plus, it made my house smell absolutely heavenly! I highly recommend starting up a pot before company arrives!
What’s in This Homemade Apple Cider Recipe?
- Apples: I recommend choosing a variety of tart and sweet apples to create a complex flavor. I like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honey Crisp, and Gala.
- Tangerines: Add balancing tartness to the cider so it’s not too sweet. Feel free to leave them out if you’re not a fan, or you can use another type of orange.
- Cinnamon + Cloves: Add warmth and depth to the cider. I recommend using whole spices to avoid a grainy texture.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and molasses flavor, but maple syrup also works well. Of course, feel free to adjust to your personal tastes.
Tips for Success
- I left the peels on my apples for extra flavor, but you can certainly peel them if you prefer.
- When I want more of a spiced apple cider, I like to add 3-4 slices of fresh ginger, 1 whole nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon of allspice berries. A few tangerine peels are also nice!
- I like to place my spices in a muslin bag or reusable teabag so I don’t have to fish them out later.
- To make in a slow cooker, place on low heat for 6-7 hours.
- Use any leftover apple pulp in these applesauce chocolate chip cookies or breakfast cookies .
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover homemade apple cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled or reheat in a pot over medium-low for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently.
If you end up with a lot of leftovers, I like to freeze some in ice cube trays and use them in my favorite apple cocktails, like these apple cider margaritas or sparkling apple pie on the rocks .
Serving Suggestions
This homemade apple cider is so delicious all by itself or with a little bit of rum or vodka mixed in. It’s also perfect for making my favorite apple cider mimosas or apple cider mojitos . I also like to use it in my cooking, particularly in this apple cider sauce and my favorite apple ginger glazed ham !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 10 large apples quartered; stems and seeds removed
- ▢ 3 tangerines peeled and separated into segments
- ▢ 4 cinnamon sticks
- ▢ 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- ▢ 2-3 quarts water
- ▢ ½ cup brown sugar
Video
Instructions
- Add the apples, tangerines, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a Dutch oven or stockpot. 10 large apples, 3 tangerines, 4 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- Cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure it is still simmering. 2-3 quarts water
- Use a potato masher to mash the fruit and release the juices.
- Cover and simmer for 1 more hour.
- Line a large colander with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl.
- Ladle or pour the cider mixture through the strainer. Press down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
- Wipe out the pot and return the cider to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. ½ cup brown sugar
- Keep warm on the stove until serving.
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
- Potato Masher
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Cheesecloth
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Apple Cider Step by Step
Fill the Pot: Add 10 large quartered apples, 2 peeled tangerines, 4 cinnamon sticks, and 2 teaspoons of whole cloves to a Dutch oven or stockpot.
Cook the Apples: Cover with water by 2 inches (about 2-3 quarts) and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure it is still simmering.
Mash the Apples: Use a potato masher to mash the fruit and release the juices.
Simmer the Cider: Cover and simmer for 1 more hour.
Prep a Strainer: Line a large colander with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl.
Strain the Cider: Ladle or pour the cider mixture through the strainer. Press down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
Sweeten and Serve: Wipe out the pot and return the cider to the pot. Stir in ½ cup of brown sugar until dissolved. Keep warm on the stove until serving.
More Cider Drinks to Try!
Crockpot Caramel Apple Cider
Hot Cranberry Apple Spiced Cider
Instant Pot Apple Cider
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
- Potato Masher
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 10 large apples quartered; stems and seeds removed
- 3 tangerines peeled and separated into segments
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 2-3 quarts water
- ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Add the apples, tangerines, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a Dutch oven or stockpot. 10 large apples, 3 tangerines, 4 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- Cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure it is still simmering. 2-3 quarts water
- Use a potato masher to mash the fruit and release the juices.
- Cover and simmer for 1 more hour.
- Line a large colander with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl.
- Ladle or pour the cider mixture through the strainer. Press down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
- Wipe out the pot and return the cider to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. ½ cup brown sugar
- Keep warm on the stove until serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
