Traditional Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of traditional homemade apple cider simmering on the stove. It’s cozy, comforting, and instantly makes your home feel like fall.

This recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand — apples, sugar, and spices — and after a long simmer, you’ll have a rich, fragrant cider that’s just as good chilled as it is steaming hot in a mug.

To get started, all you need to do is pile the apples into a large stockpot, cover them with water, and stir in the sugar and spices.

After bringing everything to a boil, the cider will slowly transform as it simmers for a couple of hours, filling your kitchen with the warm scent of cinnamon and allspice. Once the apples have softened, you’ll add a little more water and give the mixture a final simmer before straining it into a smooth, flavorful cider.

Traditional Homemade Apple Cider:

Ingredients:

• 8-10 large apples, cut into 8 slices (cut out seeds and stems)

• Water, to cover

• ¾ cup white sugar

• 1 + 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon ground allspice

This yummy cider is made with just apples, warm spices, and a touch of sugar — no press needed. The trick is a long simmer that helps draw out every last bit of flavor from the fruit.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Servings: About 1 gallon

Instructions

1. Load the pot. First, cut each apple into eight slices. Cut out the core. Place the apples in a large stockpot. Pour in enough water to cover the fruit by 2 inches. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. 

2. First boil. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil uncovered for 1 hour.

3. Long simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the mixture simmer gently for an additional 2 hours.

4. Add Water. Add 3 more cups of water to the pot. Simmer uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes. (Add more or less water as needed. This depends on how much evaporates.)

5. Strain. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract liquid. Strain again through a cheesecloth-lined sieve for a smoother cider.

6. Serve. Enjoy warm or chill in the refrigerator. For more extended storage, freeze in airtight containers.

Additional Notes:

You can use a variety of apples. I used 5 green apples and 5 Gala apples. The best option is any sweet apple.

Plan ahead, if you want to enjoy this cider fresh out of the pot with friends and family, be sure to start it early in the day.

As the cider simmers on the stove, your whole home will fill with the irresistible aroma of sweet apples and warming spices. The scent of cinnamon and allspice instantly makes any space feel cozy and inviting, perfect for crisp fall mornings or chilly winter evenings.

There’s something about a pot of homemade cider bubbling away that makes your home feel comforting and cozy, turning an ordinary day into a little seasonal celebration.