Hard Apple Cider
A simple and rewarding recipe for making homemade hard cider that allows you to control the sweetness and flavor with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 gallon Fresh apple juice/cider Choose juice with no preservatives.
- 1 packet Champagne yeast
- 1/4 cup Sugar (optional for sweeter taste) Use only if you prefer a sweeter cider.
Instructions
Preparation
- Clean everything: Make sure your jug, spoon, and bottles are squeaky clean.
- Mix and pitch yeast: Pour apple juice into your clean jug. Add yeast and sugar if desired, then gently stir.
- Ferment: Cover the jug with a lid that has a small hole or use an airlock. Place it in a cool, dark spot and wait for about two weeks.
- Taste and bottle: When bubbling stops, taste the cider, then use sanitized bottles to bottle, cap them, and let them sit for another week for carbonation.
Notes
Sanitize all tools to prevent unwanted fermentation. You can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even orange peel for varied flavors. Label your bottles with dates for tracking.