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Apple & Orange Cider

Apple Cider is an essential Fall drink. You can easily make it at home in a few steps that takes up little effort but is packed with flavor. It can be had warm or cold. 

We are aware of Apple Cider Vinegar. This drink is not that. I needed to clarify this in the beginning before I get started with the recipe. Cider can be alcoholic or non alcoholic, where the apple juice is fermented or served immediately without fermentation. 

This Cider recipe is a combination of apples, oranges, spices, maple syrup and water that gets simmered together on low heat until everything is mushy. Traditionally, you leave the mixture in a cheese cloth and let it drain out all the liquid making a clear drink. I like to strain it with my hands using a little force as I enjoy the pulp in the cider. This is not a fermented cider hence it is non alcoholic. 

If you are feeling less proactive, add more water and don’t strain the mixture at all. Leave it at room temperature on the kitchen counter for 10 mins and the pulp with separate from the liquid and you can just spoon out the juice from the top easily. I thoroughly enjoy this drink warm with a cinnamon stick and slice of apple but you can even have it cold.

Now when it comes fruits, I used red and green apples here for a variety of flavor profiles. I have also used orange as I love the zesty flavor it adds to the drink. I peel the oranges before adding it into the sauce pot as I prefer the flavor. The more variety of apples you use, the better the flavor of the cider. This is a non alcoholic cider as we are not going to let it ferment. 

When it comes to spices, I like using cinnamon, star anise, cloves and a little nutmeg goes a long way. Believe me when I say this, this drink tastes like apple pie in a glass. I promise you. As for the cooking time, I like to cook the cider low and slow for 90 mins or so. I let the mixture come to a boil and reduce heat to leave it simmering for the remaining time. Once everything is soft and you can mush it up with the back of your spoon blend it up and strain it forcefully to get some of that pulp into the liquid. 

You can make this with apples and pomegranate or mixed berries and even pears. I have made this without the oranges and increased the apple content to make it a pure cider which also works fine. The spices are totally up to you and you could just as well use Pumpkin spice to the mixture. Find my homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend recipe here.

The cider stores well in a jar, leave the lid a little open – in the fridge for upto 3 days. I like to make a large batch and freeze them in huge cubes. Warm it in the microwave when I need a fresh cup of warm cider. Also, this recipe is great for when you are feeling chilly or under the weather, it will warm you up in no time. Since this is packed with flavor and spice a little goes a long way.

Food Pairing: 

Ideally you want to have this with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, a slice of apple pie, some custard doughnuts, roast turkey or smoked turkey salami sandwiches, a corn and squash quiche. White sauce pasta dishes would also be a good accompaniment.

Let us make some Apple & Orange Cider. Happy Simmering Ninjas!

Apple Orange Cider

Apple Cider is an essential Fall drink. You can easily make it at home in a few steps that takes up little effort but is packed with flavor. It can be had warm or cold
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Bar, Breakfast, Drinks, High Tea, Party, Sun Downer, tea time
Cuisine American
Servings 6 People

Equipment

  • Sauce pot
  • Spoon (to stir)
  • Blender
  • Strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Red Apples cored and chopped
  • 2 Green Apples cored and chopped
  • 1 Orange peeled
  • 1 tbsp Maple syrup
  • 1 pc Cinnamon stick
  • 1 pc Star anise
  • 3 pc Cloves
  • 2 1/2 cups Water

Garnish

  • Apple slices
  • Cinnamon sticks

Instructions
 

  • In a sauce pot add all the ingredients and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 90 mins.
  • Blend the mixture once its mushy.
  • Strain the mixture out and try to get as much pulp out, it tastes really good and makes the cider thicker.
  • Pour into glasses and garnish with a slice of apple and cinnamon stick.
  • Serve it warm or cold.

Notes

  • I like to peel my oranges to avoid a bitter after taste.
  • The more variety in your apples the better the flavor of your cider.

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