Hard Apple Cider

Craft your own refreshingly crisp and effervescent *Hard Apple Cider* with this easy-to-follow recipe that transforms fresh, unfiltered apple juice into a deliciously complex homemade beverage. Utilizing natural fermentation with champagne or cider-specific yeast, this recipe brings out the bold, fruity flavors of the apple while allowing you to customize sweetness, tartness, or even a sparkling finish. Optional steps, like adding a touch of sugar for increased alcohol content or using Campden tablets for enhanced sterilization, make it perfect for both beginners and seasoned homebrewers alike. With minimal active prep time and the reward of a hand-crafted cider ready in just a few weeks, this DIY hard apple cider is a must-try for any cider enthusiast. Perfect for sipping on a crisp autumn evening or celebrating special occasions, this recipe offers a balance of simplicity and creativity that provides both satisfaction and flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 liters Fresh apple juice (unfiltered, no preservatives)
• 100 grams White granulated sugar (optional, for increased alcohol content)
• 1 packet Champagne yeast or cider-specific yeast
• 250 milliliters Sterilized water
• 1 tablet Campden tablets (optional, for sterilization)

Directions

Step 1

Sterilize all your equipment thoroughly to avoid contamination.

Step 2

Pour the fresh apple juice into a sterilized fermentation vessel (such as a glass carboy). Leave some space at the top to prevent overflow during fermentation.

Step 3

If you are using Campden tablets to inhibit wild yeast and bacteria, crush 1 tablet and mix it into the apple juice. Allow the juice to sit for 24 hours before proceeding.

Step 4

If you wish to increase the alcohol content, dissolve the sugar in 250 ml of sterilized warm water to create a simple syrup. Add this syrup to the apple juice and stir well.

Step 5

Rehydrate the yeast according to the instructions on the packet (if required). Sprinkle the yeast directly into the apple juice and stir gently to combine.

Step 6

Attach an airlock to the fermentation vessel. This allows carbon dioxide to escape while preventing air from entering.

Step 7

Place the vessel in a cool, dark area with a consistent temperature between 18°C and 24°C (65°F to 75°F). The fermentation process should begin within 24 to 48 hours.

Step 8

Allow the cider to ferment for about 1 to 3 weeks. The bubbles in the airlock will slow down significantly, indicating the fermentation has completed.

Step 9

Transfer the cider to a clean, sterilized container (this process is called racking), leaving the sediment at the bottom of the fermentation vessel behind.

Step 10

For sparkling cider, add 1 teaspoon of sugar into each bottle for carbonation before sealing. For still cider, skip this step.

Step 11

Bottle the cider using sterilized bottles and caps. Allow it to age for at least 1 to 2 weeks in a cool, dark place to develop flavor.

Step 12

Chill the cider before serving. Enjoy responsibly!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4355.6 grams (4355.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2391

Total Fat 5.00g	6%
Saturated Fat 0.00g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 167mg	7%
Total Carbohydrate 567.50g	206%
Dietary Fiber 8.30g	30%
Total Sugars 500.00g
Protein 8.70g	17%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 334mg	26%
Iron 4mg	19%
Potassium 4345mg	92%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.9%

Protein: 1.5%

Carbs: 96.6%