Ever wondered how apple cider is made? Making cider is really easy and a good way to use up a glut of fruit. Some “experts” say use only cider apples, others mainly dessert and others mainly cooking but in reality most home cider makers use whatever apples that they have at hand.

Choosing and Picking Apples for Cider

Make certain they are fully ripe, undamaged and not heavily bruised.
Keep in a cool place for 1 or 2 weeks to soften the skins.
Wash the apples to remove any insects, soil, etc. before processing. You won’t wash off the natural yeasts required for fermentation.

How to make your own Apple Cider

10-12 apples, cut into fours without core
1/2 cup sugar, or if you want it less sweet add just 1/4 cup
6 cinnamon sticks or 1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
8 cups water (or enough to fill the pot a few inches above the apples)

Place apples in a large stockpot with water. Stir in the sugar, spices and add in the cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil for 1 hour. Then cover and simmer for another hour.

Place a strainer over a large bowl and pour the mixture in the strainer. Discard the apples. Strain the cider again through a cheese cloth by placing it over a bowl. Pour into a glass pitcher and refrigerate.

Apple Cider Cocktail

Fill an 8 oz glass to the top with ice.
Pour 1 shot (or more if you want to get crazy ) Vodka over the ice and fill the rest with cider.
Stir to mix ingredients and garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.
Enjoy the most delicious cocktail ever!

If you don’t want to go through the hassle, Ultra Liquors stocks a wide variety of top cider brands.