I did not purchase any apple cider this year because the cost is outrageous, and the sugar content is also sky high. I could purchase a 3-lb. bag of apples for less than half the cost of a gallon of cider, so I decided to try making my own. The following recipe contains very little added sugar. The most difficult part of the process, was pressing the liquid through the cheesecloth after cooking. If you have a fine mesh colander or strainer, this process will be much easier.
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| Cider ingredients in the crockpot |
Ingredients - makes 10 to 12 cups cider
- 6 to 7 apples, washed and quartered - any variety or a mixture. I used gala and fuji in this batch.
- 1 large orange, washed and quartered
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoons whole cloves
- ½" fresh ginger
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons sweetener - I used just under 2 T. of Splenda brown sugar blend.
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| After straining |
Directions
Add all ingredients except sweetener to crockpot. Heat on high for 1 hour or less. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 3 more hours. Stir and smash ingredients in pot with a potato masher or wooden spoon; let simmer 1 more hour.
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| Warm apple cider with a splash of rum |
Turn pot off, and strain liquid into a large glass bowl or jar, squeezing as much juice as possible from the mixture. I do not have a fine mesh strainer, and the straining process is a bit slow with cheesecloth.
Stir sweetener into the strained liquid until dissolved and well incorporated. Serve at room temperature, chilled, or warm. Store in a tightly covered pitcher in fridge.
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