How I make the perfect spiced apple cider #recipes #homemaderecipes #autumnvibes, by Merry Madden on YouTube. 1 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Wash and chop 15 mini apples into rough chunks. Leave the skin and core on, since they add colour and flavour to the cider.
Tip the apples into a large pot and pour in water until the fruit is just covered, roughly 8 to 10 cups.
Add the spices: 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cardamom pods, a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg and 4 whole cloves.
Stir in a third to half a cup of sugar or honey. Start with less, because you can sweeten more at the end.
Bring the pot to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer with the lid partly on for 45 to 60 minutes.
Mash the softened apples with a potato masher to release more juice, then simmer for another 10 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large jar, pressing the solids with a spoon.
Taste the cider and stir in more sugar if it needs it. Serve warm in a mug with a cinnamon stick.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the heat low after the first boil, because a hard rolling boil makes the cider cloudy and bitter.
Use whole spices rather than ground ones so the finished drink strains clear and stays smooth.
Let the cider cool before sealing the jar, and keep it in the fridge for up to five days.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave instead of boiling it again, which dulls the spice flavour.
Questions
Can I use normal apples instead of mini apples?
Yes. Any eating apple works, and a mix of sweet and tart varieties gives the best flavour. Aim for about 2 kg, roughly 8 to 10 medium apples.
Do I need a juicer or cider press?
No. Simmering the chopped apples in water pulls out the flavour, and a sieve or cheesecloth does the rest. A masher helps you get more liquid out of the fruit.
How long does homemade cider keep?
Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge and drink it within five days. It also freezes well in freezer bags for up to three months.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
