You might be wondering why you’d bother to make your own Homemade Hot Apple Cider when it’s so easy to buy it by the half gallon or gallon. Well just like anything you prepare at home, fresh always tastes best & you know exactly what’s in it.
Making your own cider is quite simple. All that’s required is a stock pot, lots of apples, some oranges if you like, spices and a little water. The most challenging part is waiting several hours before indulging.
Depending on the variety of apples used when making homemade cider will determine how sweet it is and if any added sweetener is necessary to suit your taste.
Below are a list of apples, what they’re best suited for and how they taste. For instance: the Baldwin apple is recommended for eating raw and highly recommended for using in pies and baking. Whereas the McIntosh in not recommended for pies or baking.
(Apple Comparison Chart from The Yummy Life)
In the recipe below I used several varieties from tart to sweet and because of that I decided to add some sugar. However, if you were to use all Honey Crisp apples you may not feel the need to add any sugar at all, which I prefer.
It’s fun to play around with the different varieties to create your own special blend. If you do need to add sweetener you can add granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, agave (less is needed than most other sweeteners), coconut sugar, or even maple syrup. I’m sure I missed something. I think my favorite combination so far is all Honey Crisp since it’s naturally sweet. If you don’t like your apple cider too sweet then you may prefer the recipe below.
With any excess cider left over you can use it in a variety of recipes from granola to apple pie, or even as an added flavoring to fall soups. The possibilities are endless!
Head out to an apple farm this week and pick a basket of apples to bring home and make a batch of Homemade Hot Apple Cider. The aroma that fills your home will be heavenly and so soothing – you’ll know fall is here!
Homemade Hot Apple Cider will be ideal Halloween night, especially if it’s chilly outside. I hope you’ll try a batch!