Expert: Paul Wagner - 11/8/2002

Question
Recently my daughter and I tried some applecider and my daughter loved it. Because I thought it was way overpriced I didn't bought it.
Instead I like to make it on my own.
My question: What kind of ingridients (spices) do I need? And is it very hard to make it at home?
Thanks in advance,
Susanne

Answer
Dear Susanne:

Apple cider is pretty simple--it is just apple juice.  But it sounds like the cider you tasted might have been what is called hot spiced cider.  Add some cinnamon and cloves to taste, and that will get you started.  There are a thousand recipes for this, and each one is different.  Here is one from Good Morning America that is pretty good:

Hot Spiced Cider
Ingredients

6 cups fresh apple cider
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (more or less, to taste)
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
6 strips orange peel
6 strips lemon peel
Directions

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.

Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving, if you like.