| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 3 to 4 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 130 | 0.3g | 0g | 34g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 30g | 6g | 0.6g | 0.01g |
Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, my palette has always been steeped in strong flavors and rich traditions. And one comfort dish that always brings me back to those halcyon days of sun and surf is the classic fruit-based recipe, the Apple Cider. Usually made during autumn, its warm, spicy notes and its sweet, fruity tang bring to mind not just the joys of harvest season, but also the inviting Southern kitchen of my childhood.
Before we delve in, take a look at how appetizingly sumptuous this apple cider looks. Is your mouth watering, cause mine surely is!
The Southern Heritage of Apple Cider
Long before apple cider became popular across the globe, it has been a quintessential part of Southern cuisine. Rooted in tradition, apple cider often graces the tables during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other family gatherings. Its rich taste crafted from different apple varieties, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and a hint of orange, embodies that familiar Southern charm I’ve adored since I was a child.
My Personal Connection and the Health Benefits
Sections of my childhood are bookmarked by the warm, aromatic scent of apple cider simmering in our kitchen. I remember rolling up my sleeves and helping my mom select the perfect blend of sweet and tart apples, and later sipping on the freshly brewed cider after a fun surf session. However, the reason why I’m still hooked to this age-old recipe goes beyond nostalgia. Loaded with the goodness of apples, known for their high fiber and vitamin C content, and immunity-boosting spices like cinnamon and cloves, Apple Cider has surprising health benefits too. Consider this: a warm cup of cider can relief your cold, and its antioxidant properties have been linked to heart health and even reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes source.
Dishes to Pair with Apple Cider
Often, when someone tastes apple cider, especially my recipe, they’re reminded of all the other autumn favorites. It pairs perfectly with roasted pork dishes, but for a truly Southern feast, I suggest combining this with a platter of oven-baked cornbread or hot buttered biscuits on a cold night. And if you’re a seafood lover like myself, you’ll find the fresh flavor of the cider pairs beautifully with a low-country boil.
So, are you ready to experience this Southern delight? Trust me, the Apple Cider will surely win your heart, just as it did mine. Believe me when I say, it does taste even better than it looks!
What You’ll Need
- 10-12 medium apples (a variety of sweet and tart)
- 1/2-1 cup sugar (depending on sweetness preference)
- 10 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 12 cups of water
- 2 oranges, optional
Method
Step One
Start by washing all the apples and oranges thoroughly. Once they are clean, cut them into quarters. There’s no need to remove the seeds or peel as these parts will get filtered out later.
Step Two
Place the cut apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and cloves into a large pot. Pour 12 cups of water into the pot. Ensure the fruit is covered, if not add more water until they’re submerged.
Step Three
Place the pot on the stove over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the mixture simmer for about 2 hours.
Step Four
After simmering for roughly 2 hours, mash the apples in the pot using a potato masher or a wooden spoon. The goal is to release as much juice as possible, so press as hard as you can.
Step Five
Allow the mashed up mixture to simmer on low heat for another hour.
Step Six
Get another large pot, bowl, or jug, and place a fine mesh strainer over it. Line the strainer with a cheesecloth for even better filtration. Once the mixture has cooled a bit, begin pouring it over the strainer, letting the juice flow into your new container while the strainer catches all the solid parts.
Step Seven
Stir in your sugar into the strained juice, depending on how sweet you want it. You may need to apply some heat to get all of the sugar dissolved.
Step Eight
After all the sugar is dissolved, you can serve your homemade apple cider warm or refrigerated. Enjoy your homemade Apple cider.
