American · Beverage
Fresh apples, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice are slowly simmered together to make a fragrant homemade apple cider. Mash the softened fruit to extract its flavor, strain until smooth, then sweeten to taste and serve warm.
Makes 16 cup
Combine the Ingredients
Add the apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, and water to a large stockpot.
Begin the Simmer
Cover the pot and bring it to a low boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and maintain a gentle simmer for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely soft.
Mash the Fruit
Remove the pot from the heat. Using a potato masher, thoroughly mash the softened apples and oranges directly in the pot to release their juices and flavor into the cider.
Continue Simmering
Cover the pot and return it to low heat. Simmer for another 1–2 hours.
Strain the Cider
Remove the pot from the heat and allow the cider to cool slightly. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container. As the solids collect, press them against the strainer with a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining solids.
Sweeten to Taste
Taste the cider and stir in the optional maple syrup. Add additional syrup as desired.
Serve
Serve warm. If desired, garnish each serving with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.