Old Fashioned Hard Cider Recipe Made Easy at Home

There’s something undeniably charming about crafting your own old fashioned hard cider at home. This timeless beverage, bursting with crisp apple flavors and a hint of natural sweetness, has been enjoyed for centuries.

Not only is making hard cider a rewarding DIY project, but it also connects you with the rich tradition of cider-making that dates back to early settlers and orchard keepers. Whether you’re a seasoned homebrewer or a curious beginner, this recipe offers a straightforward yet authentic approach to creating a refreshing, bubbly drink that can be savored on its own or paired with a variety of meals.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through a simple, step-by-step old fashioned hard cider recipe using fresh apples, yeast, and a little patience. By the end, you’ll have a delightful homemade cider that you can proudly call your own.

Plus, I’ll share tips on tweaking the flavors and making this craft even more personalized. Ready to dive into the world of cider-making?

Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe stands out because it embraces the traditional methods of hard cider making, using natural apple flavors without unnecessary additives. It’s perfect for those who want a clean, crisp cider with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness.

You’ll appreciate how approachable the process is—no complicated equipment or rare ingredients needed. Plus, it’s highly customizable!

Whether you like your cider dry, sweet, or with a splash of spice, this recipe serves as a fantastic base to experiment.

Finally, making cider at home is a wonderful way to impress friends and family with a unique beverage that’s both flavorful and crafted with love. It’s a fun project that rewards patience with every refreshing sip.

Ingredients

• 10 lbs fresh apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith)
• 1 packet cider yeast (or champagne yeast for a drier finish)
• 2 cups granulated sugar (optional, depending on desired sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon yeast nutrient (optional but recommended for healthy fermentation)
• Campden tablets (optional, for sanitizing juice and preventing wild yeast)
• Water (as needed)

Equipment

• Large apple press or juicer (for extracting fresh apple juice)
• Primary fermenter (a sanitized food-grade bucket or carboy)
• Airlock and bung (to allow fermentation gases to escape)
• Siphoning tube (for transferring cider without disturbing sediment)
• Bottles (glass or PET bottles suitable for carbonated beverages)
• Sanitizing solution (e.g., Star San)
• Hydrometer (optional, for measuring sugar levels and potential alcohol content)

Instructions

1. Prepare the apples: Start by washing your apples thoroughly. Remove any stems, leaves, or damaged parts. Then, cut the apples into quarters to make pressing easier.
2. Extract the juice: Use your apple press or juicer to extract fresh apple juice. Aim to collect about 1 gallon of juice for this recipe. If you don’t have a press, you can finely chop the apples and use a muslin cloth to squeeze the juice manually.
3. Sanitize the juice (optional): To prevent wild yeast and bacteria from spoiling the cider, dissolve one crushed Campden tablet in the juice and let it sit for 24 hours before adding yeast.
4. Add sugar and nutrient: Dissolve 2 cups of granulated sugar into the juice if you want a higher alcohol content or a sweeter cider. Add 1 teaspoon of yeast nutrient to support fermentation.
5. Pitch the yeast: Sprinkle the cider yeast over the juice. Stir gently but thoroughly to mix. Then secure the fermenter with the airlock to let gases escape while keeping contaminants out.
6. Ferment: Place the fermenter in a dark, cool spot (around 60-70°F or 15-21°C). Fermentation should begin within 24-48 hours, visible as bubbling in the airlock. Let it ferment for 2-3 weeks until bubbling slows significantly.
7. Rack the cider: Using the siphoning tube, carefully transfer the cider into a clean secondary fermenter, leaving sediment behind. This helps clarify the cider and improve flavor.
8. Age and condition: Allow the cider to age for another 4-6 weeks in a cool, dark place. For sparkling cider, add priming sugar before bottling to encourage carbonation.
9. Bottle the cider: Sanitize bottles and siphon the cider into them, leaving some headspace. Cap or cork securely.
10. Final aging: Store the bottles at room temperature for 1-2 weeks to carbonate, then refrigerate. Your hard cider is now ready to enjoy!

Tips & Variations

“Patience is key to great cider. Allow adequate fermentation and aging time for the best flavor.”

• Fruit blends: Mix in other fruits like pears, berries, or cherries to create unique cider blends.
• Spices: Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, or nutmeg during secondary fermentation for a warm, spiced flavor perfect for fall.
• Sweetness control: Use a hydrometer to check residual sugar and adjust sweetness by back-sweetening with non-fermentable sweeteners if desired.
• Dry vs. sweet: Choose champagne yeast for a drier cider or cider yeast for a sweeter, fruitier profile.
• Carbonation levels: For a still cider, skip priming sugar before bottling.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Old fashioned hard cider pairs beautifully with autumnal dishes like roasted pork, sharp cheddar cheese, or hearty stews. Serve chilled in a frosted glass for refreshing enjoyment on warm days or warmed gently with spices for cozy winter sipping.

Try it alongside a fresh salad like the Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas to balance its sweetness and acidity. For a comforting meal, consider pairing your cider with dishes from our Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food or the Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide.

Conclusion

Making your own old fashioned hard cider is a delightful journey that rewards you with a delicious, handcrafted beverage full of tradition and flavor. This recipe is designed to be approachable for beginners while still offering plenty of room for customization for more experienced brewers.

With just a handful of ingredients and some patience, you can create a fresh cider that’s perfect for any occasion.

Whether you enjoy it sparkling or still, sweet or dry, this hard cider will bring a touch of rustic charm and natural goodness to your glass. Plus, the satisfaction of crafting your own cider is truly unmatched.

So gather your apples, dust off that fermenter, and start creating your very own batch of old fashioned hard cider today!

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