Ingredients: |
Ingredients: 10–12 medium apples (assorted types), quartered
2 oranges, quartered (also peeled, if you would like your cider less tart*)
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
optional extra seasonings: 1 teaspoon whole allspice, 1 whole nutmeg, and/or 1 inch fresh ginger
16 cups water, more or less
1/2 cup sweetener (I recommend brown sugar or maple syrup)
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Directions: |
Directions:Combine your ingredients in a crockpot. Add the apples, oranges, cinnamon, cloves and (optional) extra seasonings to a large crockpot. Cover with water, leaving about an inch or two of space at the top of the stockpot.
Cover and cook the apple cider on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the apples are completely soft.
Mash the apples and oranges. Using a potato masher or a wooden spoon, take a minute to mash all of the apples and oranges against the side of the slow cooker bowl to release more of their flavors. Then cover and let the cider simmer a bit longer.
Strain. Using a fine-mesh strainer or a cheesecloth, strain out all of the solids (apples, oranges, spices), pressing them against the strainer to release all of their juices. Discard the solids.
Sweeten. Stir in your desired amount of sweetener, to taste.
Serve warm. Then, your cider is all ready to go! For extra presentation points, I like to add a few fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks back to the stockpot for pretty serving. But however you like to serve it, your cider is now ready to go and enjoy. Or feel free to let the cider cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sealed pitcher and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. |
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