There's something wonderfully cozy about making your own Rustic Apple Cider at home. This recipe captures the fragrant warmth of autumn in every sip. With a delightful blend of sweet and tart apples, this cider will become your go-to fall beverage.
Using a mix of sweet and tart apples gives the cider a complex flavor profile, balancing sweetness with a hint of acidity. Granulated sugar adds the necessary sweetness to enhance the natural apple flavors. The combination of ground cinnamon, allspice, and cloves creates that quintessential autumn spice mix that warms the soul. Lastly, the water serves as the base to simmer and extract all the wonderful flavors from the apples and spices.
This apple cider pairs beautifully with a warm apple pie or a slice of spiced pumpkin bread. For a festive touch, serve it in mugs with a cinnamon stick for stirring. Consider adding a splash of bourbon or rum for an adult version perfect for holiday gatherings.
Start by giving your apples a good rinse under cold water to remove any dirt. Then, quarter them, making sure to get rid of any seeds or stems, as these can add unwanted bitterness. Once prepped, place them in a large stockpot. Add the gallon of water, ensuring that all the apple pieces are submerged.
Next, stir in the sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Mix everything well so that the spices are evenly distributed. Now, bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to let it simmer gently. This is where the magic happens as the flavors meld together.
Let it simmer for about two hours. During this time, give it an occasional stir to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom. As the apples soften, use a potato masher to crush them, helping to release their juices completely.
Once the apples are mushy and the kitchen smells divine, strain the mixture. Use a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth over a large bowl to catch the liquid, pressing the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids, and your cider is ready to be transferred into a clean container.
You can serve the cider warm immediately, or let it cool before storing it in the refrigerator for later enjoyment.
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