How to Make Your Own Apple Cider at Home with FRESH Apples

Bring Orchard Freshness Into Your Kitchen

If you love the taste of farm-fresh cider, why not try making your own at home? With a basket of crisp Tennessee apples and a few simple tools, you can create a cozy fall favorite that fills your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon, spice, and orchard air.

While we don’t currently offer U-Pick apples at Breeden’s Orchard, our farm market in Mt. Juliet receives fresh Tennessee-grown apples weekly throughout the season. These just-picked varieties are perfect for cider-making, offering the natural sweetness and aroma you’d expect straight from the orchard.

So grab a few pounds of apples, your favorite spices, and a big pot; it’s time to make homemade apple cider inspired by the flavors of Breeden’s Orchard!

What Makes Orchard Apples Perfect for Cider

Great cider starts with great apples, and the secret lies in blending varieties for balanced flavor. The best ciders combine apples with a mix of sweet, tart, and aromatic notes.

At Breeden’s Orchard, our weekly apple shipments feature local Tennessee favorites ideal for cider-making, including:

• Honeycrisp – crisp and sweet with floral notes.
  

• Granny Smith – tart and tangy; adds brightness.
  

• Fuji – naturally sugary and rich in juice.
  

• Jonagold – balanced, full-bodied, and perfect for cider blends.
  

Each variety offers a different sugar and acid level, which affects both the taste and fermentation potential of cider. A good rule of thumb: mix three parts sweet apples (like Fuji or Gala) with one part tart (like Granny Smith) for the perfect harmony.

Fresh, local apples not only taste better, they retain more of their natural sugars and antioxidants, giving your cider a fresh, clean flavor that reflects the Tennessee soil they came from.

Equipment and Ingredients You’ll Need

Making apple cider at home doesn’t require fancy equipment, just a few kitchen basics and fresh produce from our market.

Equipment:

• Large stockpot or slow cooker
  

• Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
  

• Potato masher or wooden spoon
  

• Large bowl or jug for storage
  

Ingredients:

• 10–12 medium apples from Breeden’s Orchard (a mix of sweet and tart)
  

• ½ cup brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
  

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (sticks or ground)
  

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  

• 1 teaspoon allspice
  

• 8 cups of water
  

You can also customize your cider with extras like orange peel, nutmeg, or a splash of vanilla. For a mulled twist, add a cinnamon stick or star anise while it simmers.

Step-by-Step Apple Cider Recipe

1. Prepare the apples

Wash, core, and quarter your apples; no need to peel them. The skins add color and depth of flavor.

2. Combine and simmer

Place the apples in a large pot. Add the spices, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

3. Mash and strain

Once the apples are soft, use a potato masher or spoon to break them down. Simmer another 30 minutes, then strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine sieve into a large bowl or jug. Press gently to extract every drop of golden cider.

4. Sweeten to taste

Return the cider to the pot and taste. Add a little more sugar or honey if you prefer it sweeter. For extra flavor, simmer with a splash of vanilla extract or a few slices of fresh orange.

5. Enjoy warm or chill for later

Serve immediately for a cozy fall treat, or let cool and refrigerate for up to 7 days.

Optional twist: For sparkling cider, mix your chilled cider with sparkling water or club soda before serving.

Storing and Serving Your Homemade Cider

Fresh cider tastes best within a week of making it, but you can also freeze or pasteurize it for longer storage. To pasteurize, heat the cider to 160°F (but don’t boil) for 10 minutes, then pour it into sterilized jars or bottles. Refrigerate after cooling.

When it comes to serving, you can’t go wrong either way:

• Warm it up with cinnamon sticks and orange slices for a cozy night in.
  

• Serve it chilled over ice for a refreshing drink on warmer fall days.
  

For an adult twist, mix in a splash of bourbon or rum for a simple orchard-inspired cocktail, perfect for autumn gatherings.

Visit Breeden’s Orchard for Fresh-Pressed Inspiration

Want to taste authentic Tennessee cider before you try making your own? Stop by Breeden’s Orchard Café and Market in Mt. Juliet, where we feature fresh-pressed cider, apple butter, jams, baked goods, and weekly deliveries of locally grown apples all season long. You can also check out our 5 Delicious Recipes Using Fresh Apples.

You may not be able to pick your own apples just yet, but every visit brings the flavor of the orchard to your table. Grab a jug of cider, a bag of apples, and a few donuts while you’re here, and let the inspiration for your next batch start right at Breeden’s Orchard.