Homemade Apple Cider is so fast and easy to make in the Instant Pot! The flavor of sweet fresh apples shines through combined with favorite warming fall spices. You’ll never buy it again!
This is a favorite fall drink and it’s easy to make it at home.
The fun part is tailoring the recipe to use your favorite spices, apples and oranges!
It’s refreshing to drink cold. And nothing beats a mug of steaming hot apple cider on a chilly fall day!
If you aren’t using an Instant Pot try Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider or Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider.
What’s the Difference between Apple Juice and Apple Cider?
Cider is made from apples that are mashed then pressed. The juice is combined with spices to give it a warm, spicy flavor that reminds us all of fall.
It’s also perishable when made fresh and needs to be kept refrigerated.
Apple juice goes through a filtration process to remove the pulp. Then it’s pasteurized for longer life. There are no spices added so it tastes like apples.
What’s in Homemade Apple Cider?
Recipe Ingredients + Notes
Apples – fresh apples make this homemade recipe really special. It really tastes like fresh apples. Choose your favorite apple or a combination. The apples do not need to be peeled.
Orange – a fresh orange adds great citrus flavor to give the cider a more delicious flavor.
Granulated Sugar – there is a cup of sugar in the recipe. This might sound like a lot but the end result is a lightly sweet drink.
Cinnamon Sticks – cinnamon is a classic ingredient in cider. Cinnamon sticks make it easy to get great flavor and remove them before serving.
Star Anise – star anise looks like a star shaped seed pod. Not to be confused with anise which tastes like licorice, star anise has a sweet, warm, spicy flavor that’s perfect for this recipe.
Water – water is the perfect liquid to infuse for this recipe!
Supplies Needed
Potato Masher (recommended) or a hand mixer – after cooking the solid ingredients will be mashed to release more flavor.
Fine mesh strainer (or sieve) – after mashing the ingredients the solids will be strained out and discarded. A larger mesh strainer can also be used if you line it with cheesecloth or a coffee filter!
6-quart Instant Pot or pressure cooker
What are the Best Apples to Use?
Select apples with stronger flavors or a mix of types. I love Honeycrisp apples because they are so sweet and apple-y tasting. Adding some tart Granny Smith apples with create a nice varied apple flavor.
Here are some great choices based on sweetness or acidity (tartness)
Sweet Apples:
- Fuji
- Golden Delicious
- Gravenstein (a balanced flavor between sweet and tart)
- Winesap
Tart Apples:
- Pink Lady
- Mcintosh
- Braeburn
- Rome Beauty
Variations
To make it sweeter peel the oranges before adding them to the Instant Pot. If doing this reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup.
For more of a citrus flavor add some lemon juice or slices of lemon.
For bolder spice flavor add some cloves, cardamom pods and/or slices of fresh ginger.
Use a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar. OR add some maple syrup!
How to Make it – Step-by-Step
This recipe couldn’t be easier and the flavor is delicious!
STEP 1: Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot (photo 1). Seal the Instant Pot and cook on HIGH PRESSURE (Manual mode) for 17 minutes.
Manually release the pressure and open the lid. Photo 2 shows post cooking.
STEP 2: Mash the pressure cooked fruit with a potato masher or hand mixer (photo 3).
STEP 3: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieve. Discard solids and serve in a pitcher or by the glass (photo 4).
How to Use it
The homemade cider is great as it is served warm or cold. But that’s just the start!
Braising recipes. It’s a delicious cooking liquid with chicken or pork. Try these recipes using it: Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Apples or Braised Chicken Thighs.
Cocktails. It’s a great fall ingredient: Spiced Apple Cider Whisky Sour or Apple Cider Moscow Mules.
Baked Goods. It adds a delicious flavor to muffins, quick breads and other baked goods like Baked Apple Cider Donut recipe.
How to Store it
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Apple Cookies
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars
- Tuscan Baked Apples
- Pasta e Fagioli in the Instant Pot
- Baked Apples recipe
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Instant Pot Apple Cider
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Apples cored and quartered
- 1 Orange quartered
- 1 Cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 1 Star anise
- 5 cups Water
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and valve and set on HIGH PRESSURE for 17 minutes.
- Manually release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Mash the fruit with a hand mixer or a potato masher.
- Strain the solids through a fine mesh strainer or sieve. Discard the solids.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Serve cold or warm.
Notes
- For a sweeter result, peel the oranges before cooking them and reduce the sugar to ¾ cup.
- Add some lemon juice to make it more citrusy.
- For stronger spices add some ground ginger, clove and cardamom.
- Use a mix of granulated sugar and brown sugar. Or try some maple syrup!
Emman Damian says
I want to make my own Homemade Apple Cider too! Thanks for the recipe. It seems very easy to follow.
Sandra McCollum says
I really loved it! Such a perfect fall drink!