Apple cider is one of the best ways to use up any leftover apples. But what to do with all that apple cider? After preparing our apple cider recipe, why not turn apple cider into cocktails?
Apple cider is notoriously tangy and tart, but we’ve spiced up the standard apple cider recipe by adding sugar for sweetness and cinnamon for spice. After trying out the recipe, we’ve got a long list of delicious apple cider alcohol that you can start preparing with your fresh, homemade apple cider.
Keep reading, and learn how to make apple cider and the best apple cider cocktails!
Deliciously tart apple cider recipe
The following apple cider recipe makes about 12 glasses of fresh, homemade apple cider. We’ve suggested several different spices, but they aren’t all necessary - after all, the main ingredient is the apples!
Ingredients
- 12 apples
- 2 oranges
- 4 sticks of cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp of cloves
- 1 tsp of allspice
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 inch of fresh ginger
- 16 c of water
- ½ c of brown sugar
Directions
- Use anapple peeler to peel your apples and your oranges. Quarter the fruit, then place the sliced apples and oranges into a large pot.
- Add your spices, then pour in enough water to cover all of the ingredients. Turn the heat on, and simmer for a minimum of 2 hrs.
- When the apples are soft, mash the ingredients together in the pot.
- Leave everything to simmer for 1 hr on low heat.
- Next, use a strainer or cheesecloth to separate the solids from the liquids. Try to squeeze as much of the liquid out as you can.
- Finally, stir in brown sugar to sweeten the homemade apple cider.
Serve this hot apple cider fresh from the stovetop, or let it cool and store it in the fridge for no more than five days.
What is apple cider?
Making apple cider is a classic way to quickly use up any apples about to go bad sitting on your countertop, and it’s typically known for its tangy or bitter taste.
Apple cider is an unfiltered, concentrated soft drink prepared using pressed apples which are slowly stewed and then mashed into a juice.
Apple cider is very similar to apple juice (you can find out more aboutapple cider vs. apple juice here), but it’s unpasteurized and unfiltered. It’s basically a more natural version of apple juice (and you can further refine apple cider to produce longer-lasting apple juice!).
To make apple cider, all you really need are apples. But we’ve decided to spice things up a little with our homemade apple cider recipe. We add in cinnamon for spice, sugar to take away the bitterness, and zesty oranges for a much-needed citrusy finish. There are several other spices you can consider adding, too, including nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger.
The apples (and the spices) are stewed until concentrated, then mashed before getting pressed and strained to separate the liquid from the pulp. Once you have your apple cider drink, you can then make an apple cider cocktail!
Homemade apple cider is delicious, hot or cold, but we like it best in a cocktail!
Homemade apple cider cocktails
Once your apple cider is ready to go, it’s time to mix up a few cocktails. Apple cider is the perfect base for many different alcoholic cocktails, including mimosas and sangria. It provides a tangy twist to classic cocktails such as the mojito or margarita, or you can try crafting your own apple cider cocktail from your drinks cabinet!
You can mix a hot apple cider cocktail in the winter or a cool, refreshing apple cider cocktail in the summer. If you’re preparing ice-cold cocktails, then remember to use anice ball maker for professional standard ice!
Apple Cider Mojitos
The mojito is a classic cool and refreshing summer cocktail that’s bursting with minty goodness.
The mojito usually requires fresh lime juice and soda water, but instead, we’re substituting these mixers for apple cider.
Mix white rum with homemade apple cider, and pour over ice. Garnish with fresh mint, or mix with muddled mint before pouring. Serve with a fresh slice of apple to finish this delectable refreshing!
Apple Cider Margaritas
Margaritas are another timeless, classic cocktail, and they work particularly well with a sweet apple cider twist. A classic margarita needs tequila, orange liqueur, and lime. For this recipe, you’ll keep the tequila, but mix it with apple cider and lemon juice.
We suggest mixing up a large pitcher of this for the summer. Serve with ice cubes or over crushed ice in a salt-rimmed glass, and garnish with fresh slices of apple and sticks of cinnamon.
Boozy Apple Cider
Boozy Apple Cider is a winter warmer that packs a serious whiskey punch. For this recipe, you’ll mix homemade apple cider with your whiskey of choice (flavored whiskeys work best, such as honey-infused bourbon) before slowly simmering on the stovetop.
Combine with caramel or sugar for sweetness, and allow to stew for at least an hour with added cinnamon sticks. Serve boozy apple cider in a large mug with an added shot of whiskey, or better yet, slice an apple in half, scoop out the middle, and pour in the cocktail!
Apple Cider Mimosas
Mimosas are the perfect brunch cocktail, and you can seriously spice them up with a base of homemade apple cider.
You’ll need a bottle of prosecco, apple cider, pumpkin spice, and fresh slices of apple (and a few friends to drink with!)
Mix the prosecco with the apple cider, add a little sugar and pumpkin spice, then serve with a slice of apple to garnish.
Apple Cider Sangria
Apple Cider Sangria is a quality, autumn twist on a summer favorite. It’s fruity yet fierce as this cocktail combines apple cider with white wine and whiskey!
This one’s best prepared in a large pitcher, as you’ll need at least one whole bottle of white wine. Mix wine with apple cider, then add a splash of your favorite bourbon or whiskey.
Add sugar for extra sweetness, and season with a few sticks of cinnamon and freshly sliced apples. For a citrusy layer, try adding lemon or orange wedges, too.
Serve cold, over ice, with plenty of fruit in the glass!
Mulled Apple Cider Wine
For a warming winter cocktail, try preparing our hearty Mulled Apple Cider Wine. It’s fruity, spicy, fragrant, and juicy - all at the same time!
You’ll need to combine apple cider and cranberry juice with a bottle of red wine to make this drink. Simmer the ingredients on the stovetop while adding sugar, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
Serve warm with freshly sliced apples to garnish the mug. You can vary this recipe by adding more fruit to the mix, too. Try lemons or oranges for an extra layer of zesty goodness.
Apple Cider Mules
The Mule is a simple yet effective cocktail. The iconic Moscow Mule serves up vodka with ginger, but you can add a fruity twist to this cocktail with a dash of homemade apple cider.
It’s perfect for fall, especially if you’re looking for a spicy drink with a kick to it. Mix vodka with ginger beer and apple cider, then pour over ice. Serve with freshly sliced apple and a cinnamon stick to garnish.
Like the original Moscow Mule, the Apple Cider Mule is best served in a traditional copper mug for genuine authenticity.
Create your apple cider masterpieces at home
Apple cider can be tangy, sweet, or spicy - depending on your tastes. It’s the best way to make use of leftover apples, and it’s an excellent base for cocktails!
Of course, you can enjoy an ice-cold glass of apple cider (or a warm mug of apple cider) without any alcohol, too. Whether you choose to add alcoholic apple cider or not, this cider recipe will definitely break the mold!
If you’ve got leftover apples to use, then why not bookmark our guide to apple cider and the best apple cider cocktails? You are sure to love this tart apple soft (or hard) drink!