Honey Apple Cider Recipe
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.
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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.
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 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…
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
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.
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
Instructions
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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.
Credits: Inspiration and adaptations from Katie of chaosinthekitchen.com and Gimmesomeoven.com
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
This recipe is super easy to follow and the best part is that it actually tasted so good!!! I used the pulp to make apple butter so it’s really a win win!!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe ❤️
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Cheryl!
Can this be made in a large crockpot?
Hi Shannon, I have not tested that to advise. I bet you could keep it warm in a crock pot though!
It is usually sold with brandy. On a very cold day, brandy will warm you up. It can also be done in a crock pot and an instant pot.
Do you think this could be made in instant pot to cut down on cooking time?
Hi Natasha, that would be a good idea but I have not personally tried that process to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
Looks so good! Can’t wait to try this one.
I hope you love this recipe, Katie!
I’ve never tried making our own before. This would be so fun to do this weekend. Thanks!
I hope you love this recipe, Jen!
This cider was so good and easy to make, perfect for this time of year.
Isn’t it the best way to warm up! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I am going to try this. If you were to add alcohol to this recipe what kind of alcohol would you add?
Hi Sandra, I haven’t tried adding alcohol yet to advise. Maybe others can share in the comments here if they have some recommendations?
Hello Sandra, try to add some vodca.
I have tried once apple cider with Fireball and it was great. I guess if you like whiskey you can add any of them. I probably will prefer cognac or rum.
It is usually sold with brandy. On a very cold day, brandy will warm you up.
The recipe for the cider was delicious! We have guests tomorrow and they will love this so much! Thank you Natasha!
You’re welcome! I hope you all enjoy this recipe!
Hie Natasha. Thanks a lot for your recipes. I want to know if the Honey apple cider is drank alone or it can be accompanied by something baked sweet or a savory?
Hi Tesha, you can both do that. It can be drunk alone or accompanied by something else like maybe bread or cake.
I love people who shares healthy recipe with others and inspire them to eat healthy. I am going to try this recipe myself. Thanks for sharing this with us.
You’re welcome Shayne! I’m so glad you discovered our blog & thank you for that thoughtful comment.
I made this apple cider today and it turned out soo delicious! My house smelled amazing especially that it is the season. Thank you for this recipe, definitely will be making it again
You’re welcome, Jen! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi, can I use sugar instead of the honey. If yes, would it be the same amount?
Thank you
Hi Sandra, as a general rule, for every 1 cup of sugar, substitute 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey. I would start with 1/2 cup of sugar and then add more adjusting to taste.
I drink tea every morning. I wonder how long would it stay in the fridge and if I could reheat a cup every morning in place of my teas.
Hi Marie, I think this would be fine if refrigerated for 5 to 7 days. I haven’t kept it longer than that so I can’t speak to that.
Hello Natasha! I haven’t tried the recipe yet, I’m going to this weekend. I was curious though, would it be okay to poke the cloves into the orange? Its something my father has always done when warming up store bought apple cider. I don’t have a strainer so I was hoping this would be fine. Thank you for your time!
I love that idea!! Yes, I don’t see why not! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi
Can I serve it cold???
Hi Jeena, we always have it warm, but I think that would work – I don’t see why not 🙂
Hi, Natasha, do you think using a slow cooker would work for this recipe?
Hi Luda, I think that would work to use a slow cooker. You might tone down the spices or add them to taste since it may become overpowering the longer it sits in the slow cooker.
Natasha, looks amazing! Thank you soooo much for sharing this awsome rcepies with us. It`s just pleasure to cooking with you recepies.
Have just one question, how much ml in your cup? Thank you for response:)
I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you!! 🙂 our 1 cup is 240ml
Nice and healthy juice.. Try to make it with organic fruits.. It will become more healthy.
If I wanted to use ground spices instead of whole, how much would you suggest I use?
I haven’t tried it with ground spices so I don’t want to guess. I’d say to add them to taste so you don’t overwhelm the cider with too much of any single spice.
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Natasha,
Do you know how long it can keep in the refrigerator? I am planning to make it for my baby shower, and thought it would be nice to make 2 portions of it, maybe a week or 2 ahead. Do you think 2 weeks is pushing it a little?
I think two might be pushing it a little. I probably wouldn’t push it past a week and a half. Congrats on the baby!! 🙂
Thanks! Sounds good, I’ll probably make one batch the Sunday before, and another batch on one weeknight, the same week of the shower. Can’t wait!! I love this apple cider, and have been craving it for a while already. 🙂
I hope you LOVE it! Your house will smell amazing 🙂
you welcome
I love all of your recipe, I tried doing soft cookies and is turned out AMAZING and you are the best baker in the whole world.
Oh Emily you are too sweet 🙂 I’m so glad you loved the cookies 🙂
Where did you purchase the whole nutmeg? I’ve been looking for it and can’t find it.
I bought it at Fred Mayer store.
Muaaah. Honey & Apple sounds divine. I will be making these today! They sound delish!
Let me know how it turns out :).
Perfect use for all the apple we have stashed from the orchard. Cant wait to make it for our next holiday party. I bet it makes the house smell amazing:)
It totally makes the whole house smell amazing! You have an orchard? I bet its beautiful. There’s something wonderful about being surrounded by fruit trees.
Sounds like an awesome combination. I’ll have to give it a try. It’s especially beautiful and perfect for this time of year.
I couldn’t resist it either (obviously lol). It is such a cozy drink 🙂
what food do you drink this with? just wondering. it looks great btw.
We just enjoyed it instead of tea in the evenings for three nights in a row. It was a nice Fall treat 🙂 If I was pairing it with anything, I’d choose desert or maybe a croissant 🙂
Can I use ground instead of whole cloves and nutmeg or does it alter the taste?
I think you could but add it to taste and you probably won’t need as much. I’d still recommend the whole ones. If you use ground, you’ll want to strain the juice really well.
Wow this looks amazing! Now I gotta go shop for the ingredients!
It tastes amazing as well :).
This looks soo good! Love the photos as well.
Thank you! 🙂 I just checked out your blog; this is right up your alley! Allspiceandnutmeg.com 😉
Love the photo, Natasha!
Thank you Olena :), it tastes as good as it looks.
Perfect for this weather 😉 love it !!!
It was quite a treat for the cozy Fall weather. We sipped on it for a few days. I love that it reheats really well.
Great recipe! I loooove apple cider!!!
We enjoyed every sip of it :).