This Caramel Apple Spice Cider recipe is served hot and is made homemade from scratch with no apple juice. This drink is loaded with fall flavors like cinnamon and clove, then drizzled with whipped cream and caramel.
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The tall size of this drink at Starbucks has 300 calories and 55 grams of sugar. That goes up to 380 calories and 71 grams of sugar when you order a grande. WOW. I love to make my own drink at home because it's cheaper and I can save a lot of calories and sugar using monkfruit.
What Type of Apples to Use
I like to use a combination of Gala and Honey Crisp apples. Honey Crisp are sweet, with just a little tartness, and are also crisp. Blending them with Gala makes the perfect combination.
You can use any apples. If you have favorites, go for those. I recommend using a couple of different varieties, that way you have notes of different flavors in the spread.
If you want sweet cider go for Red Delicious, Gala, or Fuji apples.
Do You Have to Peel and Core the Apples?
Nope! The mixture will need to be strained in order to create the smoothest apple cider, so don't bother worrying about the peel or even the seeds if you get some into the pot. The peels are also loaded with so many nutrients. I love to keep it all in.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cider
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add apples, cinnamon, cloves, sweetener, and water to the pot.
- Pressure cook or slow cook.
- Open the pot and mash the apples.
- Pressure cook or slow cook.
- Strain the mixture and serve.
Strain the Mixture
Once you have cooked the apples and all of the ingredients, strain the mix to create cider. I love to use a mesh strainer, but you can also use a cheesecloth.
Can You Add Alcohol?
Absolutely, if you want. I would cook the cider first and then add however much you like later. In general, dark liquors pair wonderfully with cider.
How to Store Leftover Cider
Store leftovers in the fridge tightly covered and sealed for up to 7 days.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze cider sealed and covered for up to 3 months.
More Drink Recipes
Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice Latte
Sugar Free Hot Chocolate
ChickFilA Frosted Lemonade
Sugar Free Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
More Apple Recipes
Cranberry Sauce with Apples
Slow Cooker Crockpot Apple Crisp
Slow Cooker Crockpot Apple Oatmeal
Sugar Free Apple Pie
Sugar Free Apple Crisp
Instant Pot Apple Sauce
Instant Pot Apple Steel Cut Oats
Sugar-Free Apple Butter
Slow Cooker Crockpot Baked Apples
Southern Fried Apples
Top this with our Sugar Free Whipped Cream recipe and pair it with Pumpkin Protein Muffins.
Caramel Apple Cider
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get my FREE Thanksgiving menu, exactly what I'm cooking, plus my tips for making it a stress-free meal seasoned to perfection. Let me do the planning for you!
Ingredients
- 3 gala apples Chopped into quarters.
- 3 honeycrisp apples Chopped into quarters.
- 3 cinnamon sticks Or 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves or 3 whole cloves
- ¼ cup sweetener or sugar Adjust to taste and use more or less as desired.
- 6 cups water Use enough water to completely cover the apples.
- whipped cream For topping.
- caramel For topping.
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot.
- Close and cook on Manual/High-Pressure Cooking for 10 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot indicates it is done, quick release the steam.
- Open the pot and mash the apples. I use a potato masher. Be careful if doing this while the mixture is hot.
- Close and cook on Manual/High-Pressure Cooking for an 5 additional minutes.
- Quick release the steam. Strain the mixture using a strainer or cheesecloth. I pour the apple mixture over a mesh strainer into a bowl. You can keep the excess for applesauce if you wish.
- Serve topped with whipped cream, caramel, and cinnamon.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the slow-cooker.
- Close and cook on High for 2.5 hours or Low for 7 hours.
- Open the pot and mash the apples. I use a potato masher. Be careful if doing this while the mixture is hot.
- Close and cook for an additional hour on Low or 30 minutes on High.
- Strain the mixture using a strainer or cheesecloth. I pour the apple mixture over a mesh strainer into a bowl. You can keep the excess for applesauce if you wish.
- Serve topped with whipped cream, caramel, and cinnamon.
Notes
- In total, my apples weighed close to 3 pounds. You can use whatever weight you like, be sure to cover the apples completely with water and adjust the sweetener and spices to taste if necessary.
- The mixture will need to be strained in order to create the smoothest apple cider, so don’t bother worrying about the peel or even the seeds if you get some into the pot. The peels are also loaded with so many nutrients. I love to keep it all in.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Cassandra says
I made this over the weekend for a friend's forest/camping themed baby shower. It was a hit!!! I cannot wait to make this in the winter for all the parties with some dark spiced rum.
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!