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American sweet cider in a glass with spices
Traditional American cider made from apples and spices

Traditional Homemade Sweet Hard Cider

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Drinks
This isn't the store-bought sugary soda, but the real homemade 'hard cider' as made on American farms. Nature does the work here: yeast converts the sugar in the apple juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. It's a game of patience, but the result is a living, sparkling, probiotic drink.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
⌛ Total Time 10 days
🍽️ Servings 6 servings
🔥 Calories 190 kcal
🌍 Cuisine American

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large glass carboy or fermentation vessel (min. 3L)
  • Airlock
  • Strainer
  • Sterilizable bottles for storage

Instructions

1 ✓

Thoroughly wash and sanitize all equipment (e.g., with hot water or sanitizer).

Tip: Hygiene is key! If foreign bacteria get in, you'll make vinegar, not cider.
2 ✓

Pour the apple juice into the fermentation vessel. Dissolve the sugar and salt in it by stirring thoroughly.

Tip: Extra sugar increases the alcohol content because the yeast has more 'food'.
3 ✓

Drop in the spices and the orange peel.

Tip: Spice flavors extract differently in an alcoholic medium than in water.
4 ✓

Sprinkle the yeast on top, then seal the vessel with the airlock.

Tip: Fill the airlock with water! This valve lets the generated CO2 out.
5 ✓

Place in a dark place at room temperature (approx 68-72°F) for 7-10 days.

Tip: Watch the bubbles! When the bubbling stops, the primary fermentation is done.
6 ✓

Strain into clean, sealable bottles (leave the sediment at the bottom behind) and refrigerate.

Tip: Cooling 'puts the yeast to sleep', stopping fermentation and clearing the drink.

Recipe FAQ

Can the bottle explode?
If you seal it airtight during fermentation, YES! That's why you need an airlock, which lets gas out but keeps air out.
What yeast should I buy?
Cider or champagne yeast is best. Bread yeast will make it taste like bread, avoid it!

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts 100% Apple Juice (preservative-free!)
  • 3/4 cup Sugar (or Honey)
  • 2 pcs Cinnamon Sticks
  • 5 pcs Whole Cloves
  • 1 pc Orange Peel (organic)
  • 1 packet Cider Yeast
  • 1 pinch Salt