{"id":"apple_cider_0d2b38156a","slug":"homemade-hot-apple-cider","title":"Homemade Hot Apple Cider","description":"A comforting, warm spiced apple beverage made from fresh apples, citrus, and aromatic whole spices. This alcohol-free version is perfect for holiday gatherings and chilly autumn days.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":180,"totalMinutes":195,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"10 large apples, quartered","name":"Apples","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"quartered","notes":"mixed varieties like Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith","group":"Main Ingredients","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 large orange, quartered","name":"Orange","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"quartered","notes":"large","group":"Main Ingredients","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3 cinnamon sticks","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sticks","notes":"whole","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 teaspoon whole cloves","name":"Cloves","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg","name":"Nutmeg","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 cup brown sugar","name":"Brown Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"brown","notes":"packed; add more to taste","group":"Sweetener","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Water to cover (about 2 liters)","name":"Water","quantity":2,"unit":"l","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"quart","form":"liquid","notes":"enough to cover the fruit in the pot","group":"Liquid","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the quartered apples and orange in a large stockpot.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the quartered apples and orange","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and nutmeg to the pot.","group":"Spices","title":"Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and nutmeg","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Spices"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Cover the fruit and spices with water until the pot is nearly full, leaving about an inch of space at the top.","group":"Cooking","title":"Cover the fruit and spices","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 2 hours.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring to a boil over high heat","timerMinutes":120,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"After 2 hours, use a potato masher or a large spoon to mash the softened apples and orange against the side of the pot to release their juices.","group":"Extraction","title":"After 2 hours, use a potato masher or a large spoon","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Extraction"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Cover and simmer for an additional 1 hour.","group":"Cooking","title":"Cover and simmer","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pitcher or pot, discarding the solids.","group":"Finishing","title":"Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"While the cider is still warm, stir in the brown sugar until fully dissolved.","group":"Finishing","title":"Stir in the brown sugar","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Using a variety of apples like Gala for sweetness and Granny Smith for tartness creates a more complex flavor profile. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar at the end.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","boil"],"equipment":["Large stockpot","Potato masher","Fine-mesh sieve","Pitcher"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"l","note":"Approximately 2 liters of liquid after straining"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Cider can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight pitcher in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave before serving.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently to avoid boiling away the flavor."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fapple_cider_0d2b38156a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3523542a-6104-4c5b-be20-1272b3212d4f","imageAlt":"Homemade Hot Apple Cider — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["apple","cider","hot drink","autumn","spiced","non-alcoholic","comfort food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Homemade Hot Apple Cider","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:57:01.895Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:57:01.895Z","related":[{"id":"corn_dog_9276bdf477","slug":"american-corn-dogs","title":"American Corn Dogs","description":"A quintessential American fairground snack featuring juicy frankfurters coated in a sweet, crunchy honey-cornmeal batter and deep-fried to a perfect golden brown.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcorn_dog_9276bdf477%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b2c4f402-a5a2-422a-b061-b681042e4fab","imageAlt":"American Corn Dogs — recipe cover","tags":["corn dog","fair food","american snack","deep fried","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":8},{"id":"onion_rings_b6689e2aaf","slug":"classic-american-onion-rings","title":"Classic American Onion Rings","description":"Crispy, golden-brown onion rings featuring a light batter and a crunchy Panko coating. These are the perfect American snack or side dish, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fonion_rings_b6689e2aaf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=99d356ae-4616-439b-bbcd-b41807d1e7c5","imageAlt":"Classic American Onion Rings — recipe cover","tags":["onion rings","crispy","fried","american classic","panko"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":7},{"id":"trail_mix_0efec5e7bb","slug":"classic-american-trail-mix","title":"Classic American Trail Mix","description":"A sweet, salty, and energy-packed blend of nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate, perfect for hiking, road trips, or an afternoon snack.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftrail_mix_0efec5e7bb%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=74facbda-cc4b-4ae8-ab3c-684eaa200c83","imageAlt":"Classic American Trail Mix — recipe cover","tags":["trail mix","hiking snack","nuts","dried fruit","energy boost","portable snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":3}]}