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November 29, 2020

Honey Apple Cider Recipe

Name: Honey Apple Cider Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 190 min
Ingredients: 4 lbs apples (assorted variety (about 8 medium apples)); 1 medium orange; 3 cinnamon sticks; 1 whole nutmeg (optional); 2 tsp whole cloves; 1/2 cup honey (plus more to taste (we used 3/4 cup total).); 10 to 11 cups water

Hot Apple Cider is so warming and comforting in the cooler months. You can use any variety of apples for this homemade Cider Recipe and you’ll love that it’s sweetened with honey.

Honey apple cider served in a cup with a cinnamon stick

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Apple Cider Recipe:

Make this apple cider and your house will smell like the most luscious Fall candle on the planet, and you get to drink the end result. You’ll love that its sweetened with honey and the combination of spices is so soothing.

We love making special drinks like our Cranberry Punch, or Sherbet Punch for the holidays and this Apple Cider is no exception. Keep this cozy drink in mind for your celebrations.

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Cider:

This recipe makes a true apple cider from scratch, but if you prefer, you can start with 10-12 cups of store-bought apple cider (see instructions for that substitution below).

Apples – 4 pounds or about 8 medium (any variety)
Cinnamon – use 4 small or 3 medium cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves – use 2 tsp or 1 Tbsp extra spice
Nutmeg – using a whole nutmeg is optional, but adds great flavor
Honey – use 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup, or add to get your desired sweetness
Water – start with 10 cups and add more to dilute if desired

The Best Apples for Cider:

We love using a variety of apples for homemade cider, or whatever we have on hand. They can even be imperfect and discounted for all we care. Get the cheapest ones for cider.

Apple Cider ingredients with a variety of apples, cinnamon and honey

Can I use store-bought apple cider?

You can replace water with apple cider and cut the apples down to one or two. Since apple cider is already sweet, be sure to add honey to taste if needed.

How to make Honey Apple Cider:

1. Roughly chop apples. We used our awesome apple slicer which cored and sliced them easily. No need to peel apples.

2. Place apples in a large soup pot. Slice your orange and add it to the pot, again, no need to peel the skin.

2. Add spices: 3-4 cinnamon sticks, 1 whole nutmeg, 2 tsp whole cloves.

3. Drizzle the top with honey, then pour in 11 cups of water to cover your fruit.

Pro Tip: If your pot doesn’t fit 11 cups of water, you can add the remaining water in later. Your mixture will just be more concentrated and you can dilute it down with more boiling hot water after it’s finished.

4. Bring the pot to a boil then reduce heat and lightly boil uncovered for 1 hour. Reduce heat to medium/low, cover, and simmer 2 hours. The cider should turn a light amber color. Add more honey or water to taste. It should be sweet and spicy.

5. Strain your cider through a fine mesh colander or through a cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much juice as you can. Serve hot.

What can I make with leftover apple pulp?

Use the strained leftover apple pulp to make a small batch of Apple Sauce or apple butter. It will be cinnamon-infused and delicious.

homemade apple cider served hot in a glass

Homemade Apple Cider is such a treat. Drinking a mug of steaming cider is so soothing and comforting. It’s so easy to make a batch of cider from scratch, but it’s that same feeling of accomplishment as pulling a homemade Apple Pie out of the oven. Mmm…

Apple cider served with a cinnamon stick

More Drink Recipes:

Lemonade – so refreshing and homemade is best
Detox Water – naturally flavored water
Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade – super fizzy drink
Kvas – a classic European fizzy drink
Strawberry Lemonade – restaurant-style and so easy
Iced Coffee – make-ahead and enjoy for days

Honey Apple Cider Recipe

5 from 13 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Hot Apple Cider is so soothing in the cooler months. Use a variety of apples for this homemade Cider Recipe that's sweetened with honey.

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: Varies by season $7-$9

Keyword: apple cider, Honey Apple Cider, hot apple cider

Cuisine: American

Course: Beverage

Calories: 195

Servings: 8 servings (makes 1/2 gallon)

Ingredients

4 lbs apples, assorted variety (about 8 medium apples)
1 medium orange
3 cinnamon sticks
1 whole nutmeg, optional
2 tsp whole cloves
1/2 cup honey, plus more to taste (we used 3/4 cup total).
10 to 11 cups water

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Core and roughly chop your apples (no need to peel). Place them in a large soup pot. Slice your orange into rings and add it to the pot, again, no need to peel the skin.
Add spices: 3-4 cinnamon sticks, 1 whole nutmeg, 2 tsp whole cloves.
Drizzle the top with honey, then pour in 11 cups water to cover your fruit.*
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and lightly boil uncovered for 1 hour. Reduce heat to medium/low, cover and simmer another 2 hours. The juice should begin to turn amber in color when it's finished. Add more honey and hot water to taste. It should be sweet and spicy.
Strain your cider through a fine mesh colander or through a cheese cloth placed over a regular colander. Squeeze out as much juice as you can and discard the fruit pulp. Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

*Note: If your pot doesn’t fit 11 cups of water, you can add the remaining water in later. Your mixture will just be more concentrated and you can dilute it down with more boiling hot water after it’s finished.

Nutrition Facts

Honey Apple Cider Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 195 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 19mg1%

Potassium 289mg8%

Carbohydrates 52g17%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 43g48%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 159IU3%

Vitamin C 19mg23%

Calcium 45mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclosure

Credits: Inspiration and adaptations from Katie of chaosinthekitchen.com and Gimmesomeoven.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.