This Instant Pot Apple Cider is quick to prepare and brimming with cozy fall spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, balanced with brown sugar and real maple syrup. Enjoy it hot, warm, room temperature, or chilled.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Comforting: Hot apple cider is a classic fall treat that warms the hands and fills the home with an irresistible aroma.
Easy and fast: Making cider in the Instant Pot is hands-off and faster than simmering on the stovetop, while still yielding rich, spiced flavor.
Instant Pot Apple Cider Ingredients
Gather these ingredients (see the recipe card below for exact amounts):
- Apples: A mix of sweet and tart varieties works best — for example Honeycrisp, Gala and Granny Smith.
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Ground ginger
- Nutmeg
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup (real maple adds depth)
- Water
How to Make Apple Cider in an Instant Pot
- Wash and quarter the apples, then place them in the Instant Pot.
- Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, ground ginger and nutmeg to the pot.
- Pour in water to cover the apples up to the max fill line in your Instant Pot, then stir to combine.
- Secure the lid and pressure cook on High for 15 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural release for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the lid and use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples and spices to release more flavor.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer; double-strain if you prefer an extra-smooth cider. Discard the solids.
- Stir in brown sugar and maple syrup to taste. Serve warm or chilled and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- Use a combination of apple varieties to balance sweetness and acidity. A typical ratio might be more sweet apples (Honeycrisp or Gala) with a couple of tart apples (Granny Smith).
- Adjust the spice amounts to suit your preference — add more cinnamon for warmth, or more ginger for brightness.
- Cheesecloth yields a clearer cider and helps extract the most liquid; a fine-mesh strainer works well too.
- Make sure you have a large bowl or pot for straining — this recipe produces a substantial amount of liquid.
FAQs
You can make this cider in a large pot on the stovetop. Simmer apples and spices until soft, mash, then strain and sweeten.
Homemade cider can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for spiked cocktails, warm toddies, or mocktails. Use it wherever you want a cozy apple flavor.
The Instant Pot Duo is a versatile 7-in-1 appliance that handles pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing and more, making cider and many other recipes easy.
Storage Instructions
Store apple cider in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave for a warm serving.
Instant Pot Apple Cider
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Instant Pot (6 qt. or larger recommended)
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Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Video
Ingredients
- 10 medium apples mix of Honeycrisp, Gala and Granny Smith recommended
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- water
Instructions
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Wash and quarter apples; place in Instant Pot.
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Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, ground ginger and nutmeg.
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Cover with water up to the max line and stir.
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Seal and cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a 15-minute natural release.
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Remove lid carefully and mash solids with a potato masher.
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Strain through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer; double-strain for very smooth cider.
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Stir in brown sugar and maple syrup to taste, then serve warm or chilled.
Nutrition
Calories: 158 kcal
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 0.4 g
Sugar: 32 g
Fiber: 6 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a general guide only.
The recipe and photos are the property of the author and may not be copied without permission.