Apple harvest started last month in our state of Washington. For generations Washington has been looked to as the source for the best apples in the world. Along with our well-known Seattle snobbishness about coffee, we’re also apple connoisseurs. This favorite cider recipe doubles down on apple flavor with a little bit of sumpin’, sumpin’ for those of you who love fun flavor and a bit of a kick in the taster.
What You’ll Need to Make Cider
If you don’t want to go to the hassle of buying the equipment traditional cider recipes call for like a cider press, apple grinder, a peeler/corer and so forth then you’ll find this recipe right up your alley. All you need is a slow cooker, cheesecloth, and a fine strainer.
As for what apples to buy to make cider; according to Cider Culture, “Galas, Gravensteins, Newtown Pippins, Rome Beauties, and Winesaps are a few common apple varieties that can add amazing nuances and depth to cider.”
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cider
INGREDIENTS
- 1 dozen apples, use any tart variety you like
- 2 large oranges
- 1 lemon
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 3 teaspoons whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
DIRECTIONS for Making Slow Cooker Cider
- Wash your apples thoroughly, then slice them removing stems before adding to the slow cooker. Peel and quarter the oranges and lemon. Drop the pieces into the slow cooker with the apple slices. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves.
- Fill the cooker with water. Cover and cook on low all day or even overnight. Keep cooking until the apple slices are tender.
- Mash the ingredients in the cooker and continue to cook another one to two hours.
- Cover a large pot with cheesecloth then carefully and slowly pour the apple mixture in. Repeat the process several times as needed to catch any large pieces.
- Strain one more time with a fine mesh strainer to eliminate smaller pieces. Repeat until the cider is smooth.
- Add vanilla extract and sugars while the cider is warm. Stir.
Serve and enjoy hot or cold. Refrigerate or freeze leftover cider.
MAKE PERSONALIZED CIDER LABELS
Now that your cider is done, are you thinking of making cider for gifts? Cider makes a great fall weather drink and a perfect hostess gift for Thanksgiving dinner or fall get-togethers, and homemade gifts are the best kind of gift, especially when they’re edible. If you do give cider as gifts make sure to label your bottles with a personalized cider label that’s waterproof, or we should say, cider-proof. Find a pre-made cider label here or create your own with the online designer.
Free Printable Recipe
Let us know in the comments below if you tried this recipe. If you have any questions about creating custom cider labels please live chat with us Monday through Friday 9 am to 3 pm Pacific time or email us info at bottleyourbrand dot com.
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