Easy Apple Cider Using Apple Juice
Hosting a Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas gathering and want to serve hot apple cider?
Let me show you what I discovered for making bulk apple cider on the cheap.
No cinnamon sticks, cloves, or elusive mesh cloth needed. Who ever has that stuff on hand, anyways?
I simply make party apple cider by using apple juice and cinnamon syrup!
This trick was discovered while researching Starbucks caramel apple cider.
If it's good enough for Starbucks, it's good enough for me.
Just buy apple juice and make this simple cinnamon syrup in bulk.
Combine the two, and you'll be well on your way to deliciously frugal apple cider fit for a crowd.
A reader even served this delicious beverage at a wedding!
READER REVIEW
"This was so easy and DELICIOUS. Made it for my son’s winter wedding..."
I love that this works great on the stove or even in a crockpot as it sits out for your party.
Imagine the cinnamon aroma filling your home. Delightful!
Here are the instructions.
CINNAMON SYRUP RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
½ cup white sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Stir together the white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan.
Stir in vanilla extract and water.
Bring to a rolling boil, stirring often.
Continue to boil and stir until mixture thickens to syrup consistency.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Store cinnamon syrup in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator.
APPLE CIDER RECIPE
Mix ¼ cup of cinnamon syrup with 64 ounces of apple juice.
Heat on the stove or in a crockpot on low heat.
Once heated through, serve to friends and family eager for a tasty, warm drink.
Hope you enjoy this easy, affordable apple cider as much as we do!
This was originally posted in October 2011.
The recipe instructions don’t say when to add the water?
It's the second step in the directions. Hope that helps, Sarah!
How long for syrup consistency? I feel like I’ve had a rapid boil for a while now.
How did it work out, Lisa? 🙂
@Jamie Kaufmann, it rapid boiled for a solid 10 to 15 minutes, and it never turned to a syrup. Did anyone else have this or did I do something wrong?
Kirby, thanks for the note. It's ok if it's not super thick. Think of it more like snow cone syrup, not maple syrup. I hope that helps!
Thanks, Rachel!
mmm! Good idea! Sounds like fun to try.