Recipes | Homemade Ontario Apple Cider
Homemade Ontario Apple Cider
Nothing says fall quite like a pot of homemade apple cider simmering on the stove. Made with Ontario apples, whole spices and no added sugar, this simple cider lets the natural sweetness and flavour of the fruit shine. For the best flavour, use a mix of sweet and tart Ontario apple varieties. There’s no need to peel or core the apples either. Simply chop them up, simmer with warming spices, then strain and enjoy hot or cold.
This recipe comes to us from one of our wonderful partners over at Chef Sous Chef!
Ingredients
Servings
- 10-12 Medium Ontario Apples (About 1.7-2kg/4 lbs, See Note)
- 10 Cups Water, Or More to Cover
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 1 Star Anise
- 2-3 Allspice Berries
- Pinch Salt
Instructions
Step 1
Wash the apples and remove the stems. Cut into rough 1-inch chunks, leaving the skins and cores intact. Place the apples in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.Step 2
Add the water, cinnamon stick, star anise, allspice and salt.Step 3
Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft.Step 4
Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for an additional 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The apples should be completely softened and beginning to break down.Step 5
Remove from the heat and lightly mash the apples to help release their juices.Step 6
Strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve, gently pressing the apples to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.Step 7
Serve the cider warm, or let cool to room temperature before transferring to airtight jars or containers and refrigerating.
Notes
Choosing apples: For the best flavour, use a mix of sweet and tart Ontario apples. Ambrosia, Gala and Honeycrisp add natural sweetness, while McIntosh and Empire bring tartness and balance. Feel free to use a combination of varieties based on what you have available.
Adjusting the flavour: Taste the finished cider after straining. If you prefer a stronger cider, return it to the pot and simmer uncovered to concentrate the flavour. If it’s too strong, simply add a little water.
Storage: Store the cooled cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.
