Ingredients
Fruits and Spices
- 4 pounds apples, chopped (a combination of Ambrosia and Honey Crisp recommended)
- 1 orange, chopped
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
Sweetener and Liquids
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 quarts water
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the apples and orange into pieces to ensure they cook evenly and release maximum flavor during slow cooking.
- Combine in Crockpot: Place the chopped apples, orange, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, ground allspice, whole cloves, and water into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
- Cook Slowly: Set the crockpot on low and cook for 6 hours, allowing the apples and spices to simmer and infuse the water with their flavors.
- Mash the Fruit: After cooking, when the apples are soft, use a potato masher to mash the contents thoroughly, helping release more juice and flavor.
- Extract Juice: Squeeze out as much juice as possible from the mashed apple and orange mixture, either by hand or using a fine mesh sleeve to strain.
- Strain Cider: Pour the extracted juice through a fine mesh sleeve to remove any remaining solids, leaving a smooth apple cider.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy your warm apple cider immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
- You can use any eating apples you prefer; mixing sweet and tart varieties enhances the flavor complexity.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste for sweeter or less sweet cider.
- Add a splash of rum or bourbon for an adult version of this cider.
- The cider can be reheated gently on the stovetop before serving if stored in the fridge.
- Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the cooked fruit depending on your preferred texture before straining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
