Instant Pot Apple Cider Recipe

Introduction

Warm up your kitchen with this flavorful Instant Pot Apple Cider recipe. Using a blend of fresh apples, spices, and a touch of sweetness, it’s a cozy, easy-to-make drink perfect for chilly days or festive gatherings.

Ingredients

• 8-10 medium apples (mixed varieties like Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith)
• 1 large orange (peeled and sliced)
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 1-2 star anise
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger (sliced)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar or honey (optional, adjust to taste)
• 10-12 cups water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash and roughly chop apples, removing cores but no need to peel. Peel and slice the orange. Place all the fruit into the Instant Pot.
2. Step 2: Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, sliced ginger, ground allspice, nutmeg, and brown sugar or honey if using. Pour in 10-12 cups of water, enough to cover the fruit.
3. Step 3: Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on High for 15 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 20 minutes once cooking ends.
4. Step 4: Open the lid and mash the apples and oranges with a potato masher to release their flavors fully.
5. Step 5: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible.
6. Step 6: Taste the cider and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve warm, garnished with extra orange slices or cinnamon sticks if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of apple varieties for a balanced, complex flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness to your preference or omit sugar for a naturally tart cider.
• Add a splash of bourbon or rum for an adult version of this cider.
• Make it spicier by adding cardamom pods or black peppercorns.

Storage

Store leftover cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving to preserve the delicate spices and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use just one type of apple for this cider?

Yes, you can use a single variety, but mixing sweet and tart apples provides a more balanced and flavorful cider.

Is it necessary to peel the oranges?

Peeling the orange helps avoid bitterness from the peel, but a thin peel can be left on if you prefer a stronger citrus flavor.

Instant Pot Apple Cider Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 55 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 8 cups 1x

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Description

A warm and cozy Instant Pot Apple Cider recipe that combines a medley of apples, fresh orange, and warming spices. This quick and easy cider is perfect for chilly days, made in your Instant Pot to extract deep flavors in a fraction of the time. Enjoy it sweetened naturally with brown sugar or honey, and served warm for comforting sips.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit

• 8–10 medium apples (mixed varieties like Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith)
• 1 large orange, peeled and sliced

Spices

• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4–5 whole cloves
• 1–2 star anise
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Sweetener & Liquid

• 1/2 cup brown sugar or honey (optional, adjust to taste)
• 10–12 cups water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Fruit: Wash and roughly chop the apples, no need to peel, but remove the cores. Peel and slice the orange. Place all the prepared fruit into the Instant Pot.
2. Add Spices and Sweetener: Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, sliced ginger, ground allspice, and nutmeg to the pot. Add your choice of sweetener (brown sugar or honey) if desired. Pour in 10 to 12 cups of water, ensuring the fruit is fully covered.
3. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook on High for 15 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes to preserve flavors and prevent splattering.
4. Mash the Fruit: Carefully open the lid. Using a potato masher, mash the cooked apples and oranges to release more of their flavors into the liquid.
5. Strain the Cider: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or container, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
6. Serve: Taste the cider and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve warm, garnished with extra orange slices or cinnamon sticks if you like for an added festive touch.

Notes

• You can use any apple varieties you prefer or have on hand for a different flavor profile.
• Adjust the amount of sweetener based on your taste; the cider also tastes great unsweetened.
• This cider can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
• For a non-alcoholic spiced punch, this recipe can be served chilled or over ice in warmer weather.
• If you prefer a clearer cider, strain the liquid a second time through cheesecloth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Instant Pot apple cider, homemade apple cider, spiced apple cider, fall drinks, warm apple cider, holiday cider