Apple Cider

Appears in

Published 2012

About

You probably didn’t know it was this easy to make. And you don’t even need much in the way of equipment. Do make sure to use only very clean pans and utensils, and rinse the bucket thoroughly.

You can drink the cider immediately. If you leave it in the fridge for a while it’ll become more syrupy, but add some water or ice and it will be perfect. It could contain some alcohol from the fermenting process, so don’t give it to your kids!

FOR ABOUT 3½ QUARTS (3 L)

cut 6½ lb (3 kg) apples (such as Empire or Gala, but any sweeter variety will be fine), into quarters. You can leave them unpeeled and cores intact—that’s fine.
grate all the apples with a coarse grater. It’s easiest in a food processor. Well, easier, but it’s actually pretty hard work.
put all the grated apple in a clean plastic or enamel bucket and add 4½ cups (1 l) water. Cover with plastic wrap and stow in an out-of-the-way spot for 7 days. Under your desk, for example.
stir the pulp once a day with a clean spoon and cover again.
spoon the apples into a strainer placed over a large bowl.
push as much juice out of the pulp as possible with the back of a spoon, then throw the pulp out.
pour the strained liquid back into the bucket. Add 2½ cups (500 g) sugar, 3 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, and 3 cinnamon sticks. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cover and let stand for another day.
after 1 day, pour everything through a piece of cheesecloth placed in a strainer over a large bowl.
let it quietly seep through. Stir occasionally.
pull up the edges of the cloth and wring gently until almost nothing seeps out anymore. Don’t squeeze too hard or you’ll have too much sediment in your bottle.
pour the cider through a funnel into sterilized bottles and close them with a screw cap. Don’t fill them completely; leave some air in the bottle. Some gas will form and your bottle could burst if it’s too full. You can drink the cider immediately, or you can save it in the fridge for a month or two—after 2 months you’ll find it has quite a bit of effervescence! If it turns thicker or sweeter, just add some water.