Stovetop Herbal Apple Cider
As someone who has spent years wandering the globe, I have discovered countless ways to bring the magic of the seasons with me, no matter where my travels take me. And now, I'm excited to share one of my favorite recipes with you: stovetop herbal apple cider that's as enchanting as it is delicious. This delightful blend of spices and healing herbs - including hawthorn and rose hips - is the perfect way to warm your heart and soothe your soul during this season of turning inwards and cozying up.
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Ingredients
- 8-10 apples quartered seeds, stems, and cores removed to prevent bitter apple cider. You can use either red or green apples. Our family prefers sweet red apples!
- ¾ - 1 cup brown sugar. You could also use coconut sugar or any sweetener of choice. Brown sugar adds a lot of depth from its molasses which is what I recommend most. Start with ¾ cup and add more if needed after tasting
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole cloves
- ½ tablespoon freshly grated ginger or simply sliced
- ¼ nutmeg freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons elderberry
- 2 tablespoons hawthorne berry
- 2 tablespoons rose hip
- 8 cups water more if needed
Instructions
- Start by prepping your apples by cleaning and cutting them into quarters. You can remove seeds and stems to prevent apple cider from becoming bitter during cooking.
- Add apples, hawthorne, rose hips, elderberry, water, and spices to your stockpot. Cover with water. Water should fully cover apples.
- Cover and bring water to a boil.
- Turn the temperature down to low to let simmer.
- Simmer on low for two hours.
- Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash the apples and into the pot's side to release their flavor. Then, continue to cook on low for another hour or two.
- Strain apple cider into the serving vessel of choice. Use the potato masher or wooden spoon to extract all additional liquid from apples before discarding them. Note, we like to use these apples for apple sauce!
- Stir in the brown sugar, tasting and adding more until you reach your desired level of sweetness.
- Serve warm or chilled with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Allow cider to come to room temperature before storing in the fridge.
Consume within two weeks.
Freezes well.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.004g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 89kcal