Fresh Pressed Apple Cider

Last fall I set out to make homemade apple cider in my slow cooker. I simmered apples and mulling spices in water all day long. The house smelled wonderful. It came time to blend and strain the cider. This is where everything went south. It was messy. It was boiling hot. The finished product tasted like…hot water.

This fall I decided to find a better solution. I busted out my juicer and ended up with a delicious fresh pressed apple cider in just minutes. How did I not think of this last year?

I love that this recipe contains no added sugar. If apple cider is typically too sweet for you, the natural sweetness of this recipe can also be decreased by swapping out some of the honeycrisp apples with granny smiths. Keep in mind, the amount of apples needed will very slightly, as some apples contain more juice than others. I used approximately 1 bag (about 8 apples) and ended up with two perfectly portioned glasses of cider.

This cider can be consumed straight out of the juicer, chilled or heated up in your favorite mug. For a festive fall cocktail, try adding some vodka or bourbon. Cheers!

ingredients:

honeycrisp apples (8-10 or approximately 1 bag full)

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

directions:

servings - approximately 2

Slice apples in quarters, removing core.

Slowly juice the apples using a high powered juicer.

Once juiced, skim any foam or pulp from the top of the juice. Add ground cinnamon and cloves to the juice and whisk until well combined.

Serve immediately, chill covered for later or heat up in a mug for a cozy fall experience.