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How to Make Apple Cider

Learn how to make simple non-alcoholic apple cider with apples, spices, simmering, straining, storage tips, mistakes, troubleshooting, and FAQs.

Food & CookingEdited by Pramod Tiwari
2 min read

Quick Answer

To make apple cider, simmer chopped apples with water, cinnamon, cloves, and optional orange until the apples soften, mash them, simmer longer, strain the liquid, sweeten to taste, and serve warm or chilled.

Ingredients and Tools

  • Apples
  • Water
  • Cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon
  • Cloves or allspice if desired
  • Orange slices if desired
  • Large pot
  • Masher
  • Fine strainer or cheesecloth
  • Sugar, honey, or maple syrup if desired

Safety Precautions

  • Wash apples before cutting.
  • Use clean utensils and containers.
  • Keep the pot at a gentle simmer, not a hard boil.
  • Handle hot liquid carefully when straining.
  • Refrigerate finished cider and discard if it smells or looks spoiled.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Wash and cut apples

    Rinse apples well and cut them into chunks. Cores can be included if clean, but remove any spoiled spots.

  2. Step 2

    Add water and spices

    Place apples in a pot, cover with water, and add cinnamon plus optional spices or orange.

  3. Step 3

    Simmer gently

    Bring to a simmer and cook until apples are very soft.

  4. Step 4

    Mash the apples

    Use a masher to break the apples down and release more flavor.

  5. Step 5

    Simmer again

    Continue simmering so the liquid becomes flavorful.

  6. Step 6

    Strain the cider

    Carefully strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth.

  7. Step 7

    Sweeten and serve

    Taste, sweeten if needed, and serve warm or chill for later.

Practical Example

Example: You simmer mixed sweet and tart apples with cinnamon and orange for about two hours, mash the fruit, strain the liquid, and sweeten lightly with maple syrup.

Common Mistakes

  • Using only one bland apple type
  • Boiling too aggressively
  • Adding too much spice
  • Straining while rushing
  • Oversweetening before tasting
  • Leaving cider unrefrigerated too long

Troubleshooting

Cider tastes weak

Simmer longer, mash apples more thoroughly, or use less water next time.

Cider is too spicy

Dilute with apple juice or water and sweeten lightly.

Cider is cloudy

Cloudiness is normal for homemade cider, but strain through cheesecloth for a clearer drink.

Cider is too tart

Add a small amount of sweetener after straining.

FAQs

Is this alcoholic apple cider?

No. This is a simple non-alcoholic simmered apple cider.

What apples are best?

A mix of sweet and tart apples gives better flavor than one variety.

How long does homemade cider last?

Keep it refrigerated and use it within a few days.

Can I make cider in a slow cooker?

Yes. Cook on low until the apples are soft, then mash and strain.

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