Homemade Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• 10-12 medium apples of different varieties, for example, Honeycrisp, Gala, Rome, Granny Smith
• 2 medium oranges, peeled and divided into segments
• 4 (7 cm) cinnamon sticks or 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp whole cloves or 1.5 tbsp ground cloves
• 4.5 liters of water
• Dark brown sugar, to taste, optional
• Optional for serving: apple slices, orange wedges, cinnamon stick

Preparation:

1. Stovetop Apple Cider: Wash, core, and slice the apples. Place the apples and oranges in a saucepan. Wrap the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth and place them in the saucepan, or sprinkle the ground spices over the fruit. Add water to cover the fruit by 2.5 cm (1 inch) and simmer over high heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours. Add more water as needed to ensure the fruit is always covered.
2. Slow Cooker Apple Cider: Wash, core, and slice the apples. Place the apples and oranges in a slow cooker. Wrap the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth and place them in the slow cooker, or sprinkle the ground spices on top of the fruit. Add enough water to cover the fruit by 1 inch (2.5 cm), and cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 3 hours.
3. Remove the spice bag, if using, from the slow cooker and mash the fruit with the back of a wooden spoon or a potato masher. Strain the fruit and use it to make fruit puree or discard.
4. Taste the cider and add brown sugar to achieve your desired sweetness.
5. Serve homemade apple cider warm or transfer to a container and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.