Instant Pot Spiced Apple Cider
Warm up with a hot cup of Instant Pot Apple Cider this fall! This easy recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare and results in a delicious, flavorful homemade apple cider that you can enjoy hot or cold. Apple cider is the perfect drink for chilly autumn days!
Are you looking for a hot apple cider recipe that is easy to make and delicious? Look no further than this cozy fall drink! This recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare in your Instant Pot and results in a flavorful, homemade apple cider that you can enjoy hot or cold.
This recipe is perfect for busy fall days when you want to enjoy a hot cup of cider but don’t have time to make it from scratch.
Homemade apple cider in the pressure cooker is also a great way to get the flavor of homemade apple cider without all the work. Add apples, spices, and water to the pressure cooker, strain and enjoy fresh spiced apple cider from scratch.
Enjoy in your favorite Thanksgiving Drinks or as is!
So, what are you waiting for? Get cozy and learn how to make instant pot hot apple cider this fall!
🍏Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Apples – You can use any variety of apples you enjoy. The best for making apple cider are the tart apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn.
- Orange – Add a fresh orange for a bright citrus flavor and sweetness.
- Orange Zest – Gives the apple cider a more pronounced orange flavor that pairs well with the fresh apples.
- Cinnamon Sticks – Adds classic warming cinnamon flavor to the cider mixture.
- Fresh Ginger – Gives the drink a naturally spicing kick that is refreshing.
- Whole Cloves – Adds a touch of bold spicy warmth to the drink.
- Filtered Water – This recipe uses water to help thin out the cider and make it easier to drink. You can also use 100% apple juice if you prefer a sweeter cider.
- Brown Sugar – Optional, but can be used to sweeten the homemade apple cider further.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Strainer
- Large Bowl
- Pitcher
🍎How To Make Apple Cider In The Instant Pot
Prepare the fruit: Start by removing the zest from the orange. Then peel the rest of the orange and separate it into quarters. Wash the apples, then remove the core and stem from the apples and cut them into quarters. No need to peel.
Add to the instant pot: Place the fruit into the instant pot along with the whole spices.
Cover with water: Pour filtered water over the fruit and spice mixture enough just to cover the apples.
Pressure cook the apple cider: Add the lid and turn it to sealing. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for an additional 15 minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure.
Strain and taste: Place a mesh strainer over a large bowl, then carefully pour the mixture into the strainer until all of the liquid is removed. Taste the apple cider and add brown sugar to taste.
Serve and store: Serve immediately, or pour into a pitcher and let cool before storing in the fridge.
👩🏻🍳Instant Pot Cooking Tips
- Choose apples that are high in acidity for the best flavor.
- If you want a sweeter apple cider, use 100% apple juice instead of water.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch.
- Use an instant pot that is large enough to accommodate all of the ingredients. This recipe can be made in a 6-qt instant pot.
- If you don’t have an instant pot, this recipe can also be made on the stovetop. Simply simmer everything together in a large pot for 30 minutes before straining.
- The apple cider will be very hot after pressure cooking. Before straining, let it cool for a few minutes so you don’t burn yourself.
🍐Variations
- Add additional spices: If you want a more complex flavor, try adding additional spices such as star anise, nutmeg, or allspice.
- Add other types of fruit: If you want to change up the flavor, try adding other types of fruit such as pears, cranberries, or raspberries.
- Omit the sugar: If you don’t want to use sugar, you can omit it altogether or substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- Change the citrus flavor: Instead of using orange, try using lemon, lime, or grapefruit.
- Garnish ideas: Serve the cider with a cinnamon stick, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, or slices of fresh fruit.
🧊Storage
- Storage: Store leftover apple cider in a pitcher in the fridge for up to one week.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Do not boil.
❔FAQ
Can you make cider with just apples?
Yes, but the mixture will be very thick for best results, thin the apple cider with filtered water.
What is the difference between apple cider and spiced apple cider?
Spiced apple cider is made with additional spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. These spices add flavor and depth to the cider.
What can you use spiced apple cider for?
Besides using it as a drink, you can marinate meats such as ribs, pork chops, or chicken in it. You can also use it as a base for soups or stews.
☕More Instant Pot Drink Recipes
Instant Pot Spiced Apple Cider
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Strainer
- large bowl
- pitcher
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Apples
- 1 Orange peeled
- 2 tsp Orange Zest
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 inch Fresh Ginger
- 1 tsp Whole Cloves
- 8 cups Water or enough to cover apples
- ⅓ cup Brown Sugar optional
Instructions
- Start by removing the zest from the orange. Then peel the rest of the orange and separate it into quarters. Wash the apples, then remove the core and stem from the apples and cut them into quarters. No need to peel.
- Place the fruit into the instant pot along with the whole spices.
- Pour filtered water over the fruit and spice mixture enough just to cover the apples.
- Add the lid and turn it to sealing. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for an additional 15 minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure.
- Place a mesh strainer over a large bowl, then carefully pour the mixture into the strainer until all of the liquid is removed. Taste the apple cider and add brown sugar to taste.
- Serve immediately, or pour into a pitcher and let cool before storing in the fridge.
