Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Hot apple cider is often regarded as a seasonal treat you have to wait all year for, but it’s actually simple to make yourself!

All you need is fresh apples, an orange, spices, and water—throw them together in a slow cooker, and you’ll soon have a deliciously spiced beverage that smells as good as it tastes.

• 6 medium apples, assorted types
  

• ½ orange
  

• 3 cinnamon sticks
  

• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
  

• 1 tsp. ground cloves
  

• ½ tsp. whole allspice
  

• 8 c. water
  

• Brown sugar, to taste
  

Instructions:

1. Wash the apples and orange, then cut them both into quarters, keeping the peels, seeds, and stems intact.

2. Put the fruit wedges in a three- or four-quart slow cooker, and add the cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Pour in the water, making sure the cooker is no more than three-fourths full. Cook on high heat for 3–4 hours or on low heat for 6–8 hours.

3. One hour before the cider is done cooking, use a potato masher to mash the fruit into pulp. Continue cooking for the remaining hour.

4. Strain the cider into a pitcher. To get the most juice, press the fruit pulp through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer. Add the brown sugar to your liking, and stir until it’s dissolved. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.