Instant Pot Apple Cider
Instant Pot Apple Cider is one of my favorite things to make in the Fall! I love enjoying it throughout the holiday season. An apple delight with citrus, cinnamon, and clove notes throughout. A naturally gluten-free refreshment that can be used as part of the brine for my Instant Pot Turkey Breast!
Why this works
- Fresh and easy - know where your ingredients come from for this just like when you make Instant Pot Applesauce or some pumpkin puree. Cut up your fruit, cook, and strain for an easy holiday treat!
- Naturally - gluten-free and vegetarian just like my Air Fryer Apple Chips or air fryer pumpkin seeds.
- Customize it - make it your own by adding cranberries, raspberries, ginger, nutmeg, or star anise for your own signature concoction. Sip this for dessert after having some French onion pot roast for dinner!
Ingredients you will need
Ingredient notes
- Apples - use what you like or put together a combination of different apples. I like to use Honey Crisp, Red Delicious, and maybe a Granny Smith apple.
- Oranges - if the Naval oranges are very sweet or extremely juicy you may want to consider using just one instead of two so the citrus doesn't high jack the apple flavor.
How to make this
Step 1: Prepare and cook the apple cider
Quarter the oranges, and cut the apples into eighths. Put in the Instant Pot with the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, brown sugar, and enough water to just cover the fruit.
You can add more water than this, but DO NOT fill past the max fill line for your pot.
Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes followed by a 20-minute natural pressure release.
Step 2: Finishing the apple cider
Take a potato masher, and mash the fruit in the Instant Pot. Position a strainer over a large bowl. Line the strainer with cheesecloth. Pour the contents into the strainer.
Squeeze and strain until all the liquid is extracted. Throw away the pulp.
Expert tips
Adjust the sweetness with honey or more brown sugar depending on your tastes. Add or remove spices based on your preferences. If it tastes to citrus-y then add a little 100% apple juice to even out the flavors. Add fresh vanilla beans to the mixture for something different.
FAQs
Usually apple juice is lighter and sweeter than cider.
Citrus pairs well with it. A squeeze of lemon, lemonade, or oranges pulls this drink together.
Traditionally rum and bourbon are used. However, vodka will work as well.
Serving suggestions
This is perfect to serve warm or cold with a charcuterie board of the sweet or savory variety. Any pork dish like my Stuffed Pork Loin would go perfectly with this. Serve for breakfast or brunch with my Instant Pot Frittata.
Storage & Reheating
Store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Freeze in ice cube trays or a freezer container for up to three months. Thaw in refrigerator and serve cold or warm. Warm in microwave or in Instant Pot on warm or saute.
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Recipe
Instant Pot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 8 apples variety, cut into eighth's
- 2 Naval oranges quartered
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 8 cups water or enough to cover fruit or fill to max line
Instructions
- Add prepared oranges and apples to Instant Pot.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and dark brown sugar. Cover fruit with water.
- Cook on high pressure for 15-minutes followed by a 20-minute natural pressure release.
- Mash fruit in Instant Pot with potato masher. Strain through cheesecloth covered strainer.
- Adjust sweetness to desired level.
Notes
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