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Homemade Apple Cider
Ingredients:
- 1 orange
- 10 medium apples (use a variety-- I use Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- 3 cinnamon sticks (or 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon)
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- granulated sugar1 (see note)
Special Equipment
- Slow cooker (4-quart or higher)2
- Fine mesh sieve
Directions:
- Peel the orange and place the segments in the slow cooker. (Pictures show unpeeled- I prefer peelng it. Less bitter.) Wash the apples, cut into quarters, and place in the slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, and sugar. Add enough water to cover the fruit.
- Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours. (Or high heat for 3.)
- After 6-7 hours, the fruit will be very soft. Use a large spoon to mash the fruit and release its liquids. Allow the cider to cook on low for 1 more hour.
- Very slowly strain the chunky liquid though a fine mesh sieve into a large pot or pitcher. You can discard the solids. Strain the cider one more time to rid any other solids. Serve the cider warm. Leftover cider keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Warm up on the stove before serving-- or drink it cold!
- Make ahead tip: Cider can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.