Spiced Apple Cider– fresh, sweet and tart apples, cooked with sugar and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger, strained through a sieve a few times to get a warm clear cider that can warm up your soul on a cold winter night. It’s like having apple pie… in a mug!
My kids don’t really like a whole lot of sweet beverages. But, Apple cider is an exception. In summers, they love a sparkling apple cider, and, in winters, this is their favorite recipe to make with me. They absolutely love fresh warm Spiced Apple Cider. The big bonus is, that the day we make it, the whole house smells like a giant apple pie, who can complain about that now! Can you tell how much we like apple pie 🙂
Making this Spiced Apple Cider is a breeze, or as my kids like to say, “it’s what you get when the sweet and tart apples hang out with the warm spices”. I use Pink Lady or Gala apples for the sweetness, and the Granny Smith apples give it a slight tart bite. The cinnamon, cloves, and ginger give it the warmth, almost as if you were curled up by the fireplace!
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.
I used to make this Spiced Apple Cider on the stove-top till I got my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot
Re-Use the Pulp for Apple Spice Pancakes
Smart tip: 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- it is ours for sure!
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Spiced Apple Cider: fresh, sweet and tart apples, cooked with sugar and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger, strained through a sieve a few times. Perfect for a cold winter night.
- 2 Granny Smith apples cored and sliced
- 6 Gala apples or Pink Lady apples, cored and sliced
- 3/4 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
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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.
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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.
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Open lid after letting the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, (QR after 15). Use a spatula stir and break down the apples. Alternatively, use a potato masher to fully mash the apples.
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Strain this 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 only 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.
Recipe Video
If you are new to the Instant Pot, please read my FAQ on Instant Pot Terminology and Accessories to learn more.
Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates. If you are following any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.
2 Comments
Albert Bevia
January 8, 2018 at 6:40 amThis sounds so good and tasty! what a great idea, I gotta try this spiced apple cider
aneeshasg
January 8, 2018 at 8:10 amThank you Albert! Hope you do. Would love to hear how you like it!