Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs apples (assorted variety (about 8-10 medium apples))
• 1 medium orange (peeled and quartered)
• 3 cinnamon sticks (or 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon)
• 1 pinch of nutmeg (or 1 whole nutmeg)
• 2 tsp whole cloves (or 1/2 tsp ground cloves)
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (plus more to taste (we used 3/4 cup total)*)
• 10 to 11 cups water
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Instructions:

1. Core and roughly chop your apples (no need to peel). Place them in a large pot, at least 5 1/2 quarts. Quarter your orange and add it to the pot.
2. Add spices: cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add sugar and then pour in enough water to cover your fruit.*
3. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium heat and lightly boil uncovered for 1 hour. Reduce heat to medium/low heat, cover, and simmer for another 2 hours. The juice should begin to turn amber in color when it's finished. Add more sugar and hot water to taste. It should be sweet and spicy.
4. Strain your cider through a fine mesh strainer or through a cheesecloth placed over a regular colander, into a large bowl or punch bowl. Squeeze to extract as much juice as possible and discard the fruit pulp. Serve hot.