Cozy up with a warm mug of Apple Apricot Cider, a delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and spiced flavors that screams comfort in every sip. This homemade cider combines fresh apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji with the natural sweetness of dried apricots, infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise for a truly irresistible fragrance. A touch of orange zest and sliced fresh ginger adds a zesty, warming kick, while optional honey lets you tailor the sweetness to your liking. With just 10 minutes of prep and a simmering process that fills your home with autumnal bliss, this cider is perfect for cozy evenings, holiday gatherings, or any time you need a deliciously spiced pick-me-up. Serve it warm in mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice for an inviting finishing touch.
Wash the apples thoroughly and cut them into quarters, removing the cores and seeds. Leave the skins on for added flavor.
In a large stockpot, combine the apples, dried apricots, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, sliced ginger, and orange zest.
Pour the 8 cups of water into the pot, ensuring all the ingredients are fully submerged.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low to let it simmer.
Cover the pot and let the cider simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to help break down the fruit.
After 45 minutes, use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the cooked apples and apricots to release more flavor.
Place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl or another pot, and carefully strain the mixture to remove solids, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
Stir the honey into the warm cider, if desired, for added sweetness.
Serve the cider warm in mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick or an orange slice if desired. Enjoy!
Calories |
799 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 3.5 g | 4% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 92 mg | 4% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 211.6 g | 77% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.9 g | 110% | |
| Total Sugars | 157.0 g | ||
| Protein | 6.9 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 343 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 6.0 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 2003 mg | 43% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.