Windfall Harvest Hard Cider
Autumn Harvest Hard Cider
ingredients
- 8 medium apples (your choice of variety)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 10 cups water
- 1 packet cider yeast (such as champagne yeast)
- 1 cup honey or maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
steps
- 1.
Wash the apples thoroughly and quarter them without removing the skin or seeds to enhance flavor.
- 2.
In a large pot, combine the quartered apples, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice, lemon juice, and water.
- 3.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- 4.
After simmering, gently mash the apples to release additional juice and flavor.
- 5.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a fermentation jug, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible.
- 6.
If desired, adjust sweetness with honey or maple syrup, then allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- 7.
Once cooled, sprinkle the cider yeast over the surface and gently stir to incorporate.
- 8.
Seal the fermentation jug with an airlock and let it ferment at room temperature for about 1-2 weeks or until fermentation slows.
- 9.
After fermentation, siphon the cider into bottles, leaving sediment behind, and refrigerate. Enjoy chilled, garnished with a slice of apple or cinnamon if desired.
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