Sweet and tart apples cooked with sugar, cinnamon, cloves and ginger, and strained to get a delicious Spiced Apple Cider that can warm up your soul on a chilly evening. Enjoy this fall favorite with this easy Instant Pot or stovetop recipe.
We have three varieties of apple trees in our yard, and fortunately for us, they bear fruit one after the other. So, we end up with an uninterrupted supply of apples starting late summer through fall 🙂
For those months, we get creative in ways we can consume these apples. Apart from usual suspects like Apple-Pie or Apple-Cinnamon Oats, we also make Apple-Walnut cake, Apple-Oat Muffins, and my kids’ favorite, Spiced Apple Cider, also called Mulled Cider!
Warm and Cozy Drink for Fall and Winter
Over the weekends in fall, when the evenings begin to feel crisp, my family loves to sit around the fireplace in the backyard, and my girls just LOVE to sip on a hot cup of this homemade Spiced Apple Cider. Hubby and I enjoy it with a splash of bourbon in ours 😉 (recipe included below).
The spices used in this recipe, cinnamon, cloves and ginger, are all referred to as ‘warm spices’. Apart from adding a sweet aroma to the recipe, they also add a comforting warmth in the taste.
And the big bonus is that the day I make this cider, the whole house smells like a giant apple pie! Now who can complain about that 🙂
Easy to Double & Perfect for Holiday Parties
For a holiday party, I double up (or triple) this recipe in my 6 qt Instant Pot. After straining it, I pour it back in the pot and turn on the ‘Keep Warm’ mode. This way my guests can help themselves to a cup of hot cider all evening! And, its a great conversation starter too 🙂
If you’re making it on the stove-top, you can strain it and transfer it to any heatproof punch bowl for serving.
Which Apples to Use for Making Apple Cider
This recipe for hot Apple Cider can be made with almost any variety of apples. The flavors of the spices infuse well with any kind of apples you use.
I use Pink Lady or Gala apples for sweetness, and Granny Smith apples to give the cider a slight tart bite. The cinnamon, cloves, and ginger give it the warmth and intense flavor that is so iconic to this recipe.
How to Make Spiced Apple Cider
Here are step by step Instant Pot instructions for this easy pour-and-start Apple cider recipe from scratch. This recipe will work in most electric pressure cookers.
Step 1: Pressure Cook all Ingredients
- Tie the cloves and cinnamon sticks in a cheese cloth, to make a spice pouch. Core the apples and slice them in 1/4 inch slices.
- Turn Instant Pot on. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, ginger, spice pouch, and water into the Instant Pot. Stir well. Close lid. Set vent to Sealing mode. Press 15 minutes Manual (high) or Pressure Cook.
Step 2: Mash Apples and Strain
- Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then release the remaining pressure by carefully turning the pressure valve to ‘Venting’ position. (QR after 15). Open the lid after pressure pin drops.
- Using a spatula stir and break down the apples. Alternatively, use a potato masher to fully mash the apples. The apples are so soft at this point, that they break down very easily.
- Strain this mix through a strainer into a separate bowl. Use a spatula to push down the pulp.
- After you are done straining once, strain the liquid once more, stirring only lightly, so the strainer holds back the pulp.
- Don’t discard the pulp and it can be used as applesauce for making pancakes or a Spiced Apple cake. The apple cider is ready to drink now. If you like it chilled, wait for it to cool down for 15 minutes, then refrigerate.
Use the Pulp to make Apple Spice Pancakes
Don’t discard the pulp you get after straining the cider for the second time. We use that pulp to make Apple Spice Pancakes or in a Apple Spice cake, and the flavors are AMAZING!
You see how this recipe is quite a win-win! Try it, this may become your favorite family holiday beverage to make. Its ours for sure!
Making Hard Apple Cider
If you are looking to spike your Mulled cider with alcohol to make a Hard Apple Cider, a great combination is Rum or Bourbon.
For either of those, I follow a ratio of 4 parts of this homemade apple cider to 1 part rum. This ratio works well for me, but you can always tweak it to your liking.
Also Try My Mulled Wine Recipe | Gluhwein Recipe
Popular Fall Appetizers from my Kitchen
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Spiced Apple Cider | Mulled Cider in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 Granny Smith apples cored and sliced
- 6 Gala apples or Pink Lady apples, cored and sliced
- ¾ cup brown sugar : adjust to taste
- 1 inch ginger sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 10 whole cloves : adjust to taste
- 5 cups water or 6 cups, if you like your cider less dense
Instructions
- Prep: Tie the cloves and cinnamon sticks in a cheese cloth, to make a spice pouch. Core the apples and slice them in 1/4 inch slices.
- Turn Instant Pot on. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, ginger, spice pouch, and water into the Instant Pot. Stir well. Close lid. Set vent to Sealing mode. Press 15 minutes Manual (high) or Pressure Cook.
- Open lid after letting the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, (QR after 10). Use a spatula stir and break down the apples. Alternatively, use a potato masher to fully mash the apples.
- Strain this apple mix through a strainer into a separate bowl, using a spatula to push down the pulp.
- After you are done straining, strain the liquid once more, stirring lightly so the strainer holds back the pulp.
- Don't discard the pulp, it can be used as applesauce for making pancakes and Apple cake. The apple cider is ready to drink.
Video
Notes
Tips for Making and Serving Spiced Apple Cider:
- This recipe for hot Apple Cider can be made with almost any variety of apples. I use Pink Lady or Gala apples for sweetness, and Granny Smith apples to give the cider a slight tart bite.
- It is pretty easy to double-up this recipe and make it in large batches, which makes it perfect for serving during big get-togethers and holiday parties.
- Don’t discard the pulp you get after straining the cider for the second time. We use that pulp to make Apple Spice Pancakes or in Apple Spice cake, and the flavors are AMAZING!
- I serve this cider warm in a cup with a cinnamon stick for that added sweet and warm cinnamon flavor.
- If you are looking to spike your apple cider with alcohol to make a Hard Apple Cider, a great combination is Rum or Bourbon. I follow a ratio of 4 parts of this homemade apple cider to 1 part rum, you can tweak it to your liking.
- If you are new to the Instant Pot, please read my FAQ on Instant Pot Terminology and Accessories to learn more.
Nutrition
This recipe was updated in 2019 with new photos, helpful information, tips, and step-by-step photos.
