Warm, spiced, and incredibly comforting, homemade apple cider is the perfect drink to welcome the fall season. Using an Instant Pot makes this recipe faster and more straightforward than ever. Your home will be filled with the cozy aroma of simmering apples and spices.
Ingredients:
Apples: 10 medium-sized apples (a mix of red and green works best), cored and quartered
Oranges: 2, sliced
Water: Enough to cover the apples (about 8-10 cups)
Sugar: ½ to 1 cup (adjust to taste)
Spices:
Cinnamon: 4 sticks (or 1 tsp ground)
Whole Cloves: 10-12
Allspice: 1 tsp
Nutmeg: ½ tsp ground (or 1 whole, freshly grated)
Garnish (optional): Additional orange slices, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks
Instructions:
Preparation:
- Wash and core your apples, then cut them into quarters.
- Slice the oranges.
Layering in the Instant Pot:
- Place the apple and orange slices in the Instant Pot.
- Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.
- Pour in enough water to just cover the fruits and spices.
Cooking:
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position.
- Set the Instant Pot to manual or pressure cook mode and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
Mashing & Straining:
- After the pressure has fully released, open the lid and use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the apples and oranges to release their flavors further.
- Place a strainer or sieve over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the apple mixture through to strain out the solids. Press the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
Sweetening:
- Return the strained cider to the Instant Pot or a pot on the stove.
- Turn on the sauté function (or medium heat on the stove).
- Add sugar, starting with ½ cup, and stir to dissolve. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Allow the cider to heat for another 2-3 minutes.
Serving:
- Pour the apple cider into mugs and garnish with apple slices, orange slices, or a cinnamon stick if desired.
Tips:
Adjusting Sweetness: Everyone's sweetness preference is different. Feel free to adjust the sugar quantity to your liking or even use alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Storing: The apple cider can be refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat on the stove or microwave before serving.
Variations: Feel free to experiment with other spices like star anise or vanilla beans for a unique twist.
Nothing says "autumn" quite like a mug of freshly made apple cider. Thanks to the Instant Pot, this traditional favorite can be made quickly, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of the season in no time!
