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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    December 7, 2015 27 Comments

    Easy Homemade Apple Cider & the First Snowfall of The Year!

    348 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Both the snow photoshoot and the apple cider photos were captured with an Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens. Aren't they so pretty!?

    Photo take with Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens #PENworthy

    First snow alert!!
    Ok, so the first snow was actually a couple of weeks ago now. I was with my close (vegan!) friend (who also happens to be my cousin) Gretty and her daughter Zuzu (best name ever!), when it started to snow big, fat, giant flakes. SO PRETTY!!!! 😍

    There is something so striking about the first snow of the year. Even though I grew up in Canada and snow happens every year, the first snow always feels like magic is falling from the sky. Big, white, puffy, angelic, snow flakes lightly zig zagging towards the ground. Seriously takes my breath away. I can't help but stare out the window and watch this magic happen before my eyes.

    I mean, eventually we will reach the point of “are you serious? MORE snow? It’s April!" But for now, the snow is still charmingly new, fresh and sparkly.

    Apple-Cider-and-the-First-Snow-Fall-of-the-Year-11

    The three of us decided we MUST capture this moment immediately, because snow flakes just look so darn pretty in our hair. True story folks. So I grabbed my Olympus PEN E-PL7 (also new and sparkly) and we dashed into the forest.

    This moment called for my PEN instead of just using my phone. It really took the moment from every day snaps, to a full on photoshoot with high quality pics. These babies are totally framable.

    The PEN is a pretty nifty camera. ↑↑↑ see how nifty it is? It not only takes gorgeous high-quality photos, but it’s designed for social media hounds (like me!). It has a screen that flips down so you can see yourself, making selfies a breeze (it worked wonders for our group shot)! It also connects to wifi, and you can connect it to your social media accounts to post your photos directly. How neat is that? There are some really neat little videos on the Olympus PEN site showing all of the fun features, but me, I just like good 'ol high res shots. Shall we take a look? We shall.

    Photo take with Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens #PENworthy

    Look at this glowingly gorgeous lady! I love how the snow and grey tones of the forest and sky made a perfect backdrop for our seasonal photoshoot. What a babe! Ow ow.

    Photo take with Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens #PENworthy

    I mean, come on! Really? Could you have a more photogenic 13 year old? I think not. Zuzu wanted me to assure all of you that her coat is pleather. Haha!

    Photo take with Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens #PENworthy

    And this little muffin of an animal. Cute lil’ Lizzy dog. I don't think she was as impressed with the snow as we were, but she had fun sniffing things. Dog life.

    Photo take with Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens #PENworthy

    Then there’s me, being the over-smiling goof that I am. Note to self, bring gloves next time, snow is cold. Apparently I am still not great at dressing for cold weather.

    Photo take with Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R MSC Lens #PENworthy

    I love this photo of all of us! Aren't we the cutest? We are, I know it. Thank you ladies for sharing this moment with me. So happy we captured this day together 🙂

    After this frozen photoshoot we all needed to warm up. I unfortunately had not made this apple cider yet, but I sure wish I had!!

    Easy Homemade Apple Cider. Make this and your whole house will smell like heaven! Just chop up the fruit into quarters, chuck everything in a big ‘ol pot (cores, peels, and all), and simmer for 2 hours. Strain out the fruit and spices and pour a warming cup of holiday cheer. #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    This Easy Homemade Apple Cider is the PERFECT treat to have ready for such occasions. Just chop up the fruit into quarters, chuck everything in a big ‘ol pot (cores, peels, and all), and simmer for 2 hours. Strain out the fruit and spices and pour a warming cup of holiday cheer.

    Easy Homemade Apple Cider. Make this and your whole house will smell like heaven! Just chop up the fruit into quarters, chuck everything in a big ‘ol pot (cores, peels, and all), and simmer for 2 hours. Strain out the fruit and spices and pour a warming cup of holiday cheer. #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    My roommate was in love with the scent that filled our house. If you want to impress company, have this simmering away on the stove. Christmas is in the air!

    Easy Homemade Apple Cider. Make this and your whole house will smell like heaven! Just chop up the fruit into quarters, chuck everything in a big ‘ol pot (cores, peels, and all), and simmer for 2 hours. Strain out the fruit and spices and pour a warming cup of holiday cheer. #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Easy Homemade Apple Cider

    Make this and your whole house will smell like heaven! Pour a warming cup of holiday cheer. 
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time2 hrs
    Total Time2 hrs 10 mins
    Course : Drinks
    Cuisine : AmericanCanadian
    Servings: 10 Cups
    Author: Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

    Ingredients

    • 8 apples of choice (I used spartan apples, but whatever kind you like. This is a great recipe to use up apples that are getting too soft)
    • 2 oranges
    • 6 cinnamon sticks (plus more for garnish, optional)
    • 1 teaspoon whole cloves (the spice)
    • 1 teaspoon whole allspice
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 10 cups water
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Wash the apples and oranges and then quarter the fruit. No need to removes any seeds, skin, cores, or peels, these will all be strained out later. Add your chopped fruit to a really big pot. Add in the remaining ingredients, the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, brown sugar, and water. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Simmer for about 2 hours until the apples breakdown and it smells delicious.
    • Put a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl or another really large pot, and strain out and discard the fruit and spices. Serve hot with a cinnamon stick for garnish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcal
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    Bon Appetegan!

    Sam.

    I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:18 pm

      This was easy and amazing! A huge hit and so much better than buying apple juice and simmering it with spices.

      Reply
    2. Char says

      December 25, 2021 at 9:01 pm

      Merry Christmas!

      Reply
    3. Julie says

      December 24, 2019 at 10:43 pm

      Although the smell was delicious while simmering, my cider turned out bitter . Could it be from the orange peel?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        December 31, 2019 at 11:43 am

        Did you add the sugar? That should cut any bitterness.

        Reply
        • Julie says

          December 31, 2019 at 2:21 pm

          Yes I added the sugar. Should I add more than the recipe calls for if it’s bitter or not simmer the oranges with the apple and just add orange juice at the end?

        • Sam Turnbull says

          January 09, 2020 at 11:00 am

          Yes you can add more sugar if needed. I didn't find the need to remove the orange peels but if yours are very bitter perhaps it's a good idea. Enjoy!

    4. Judy says

      October 09, 2017 at 6:19 pm

      HOW Would this turn out if I tried to preserve it? Maybe by pouring it into ice cube trays and then putting the frozen cubes into baggies?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        October 10, 2017 at 9:19 am

        Hi Judy, yes you can freeze it. Just pour into freezable containers or sealable bags leaving room for expansion. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. plasterers bristol says

      May 04, 2016 at 6:30 am

      Gotta love this old school classic, great recipe, thanks for sharing.

      Simon

      Reply
      • Sam says

        May 04, 2016 at 8:45 am

        You're very welcome Simon, I hope you enjoy it 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kristi says

      December 19, 2015 at 8:21 pm

      Beautiful ladies (and pup)! The apple cider sounds delicious.

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 20, 2015 at 9:33 am

        Awww thank you!!

        Reply
    7. Srivani says

      December 16, 2015 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      Cute pics!!! You all make the first snow-fall looks so glamorous!! I do agree though, there is something magical and beautiful about the first snow of the season. My outlook changes drastically by mid-January though! 😛

      However, that said, I can attest that this apple cider recipe is super simple and fills the entire house with the most amazing aroma. Oh, yeah, and it's delicious too. Thanks Sam. I'm sipping some now on this rather damp, dreary December day.

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm

        Aww shucks, thank you Srivani! Haha me too, mid-January, I might as well be holding a sign that say "I hate snow". So happy you love the apple cider recipe 🙂

        Reply
    8. Bethery says

      December 09, 2015 at 3:32 am

      We didn't get snow last year, and I'm so close to Canada. I hope we do this year. Will make this cider when my son comes for Christmas.

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 09, 2015 at 11:08 am

        I hope you do too! As much as I like the warm weather, snow on Christmas is just breathtaking... especially with hot apple cider!

        Reply
    9. mOm says

      December 08, 2015 at 12:50 pm

      Pretty beautiful my family...eh?

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 08, 2015 at 12:52 pm

        Haha, totally. Thanks mom.

        Reply
    10. mark guncheon says

      December 08, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      Could you do this in a crockpot?

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 08, 2015 at 12:52 pm

        Yes absolutely. I don't actually own a crockpot, so I am unsure of how long it would take, but you will know by taste 🙂

        Reply
    11. Kathy says

      December 08, 2015 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      What awesome pictures...I love snow too!!! I really like your cider recipe...not complicated like one recipe I saw!!! I am definitely trying this!! Thanks!!!!

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 08, 2015 at 12:52 pm

        Thank you! Yay! I hope you like the apple cider Kathy 🙂

        Reply
    12. Emilie @ Emilie Eats says

      December 07, 2015 at 3:58 pm

      The pictures look beautiful! I'm so jealous of that pillowy snow...we don't really get much (read: any) of that down in Louisiana. Thanks so much for the recipe! I've been looking for an apple cider recipe.

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 07, 2015 at 5:09 pm

        I know!!! Pillowy gorgeous snow!! So pretty... for the first month. Haha. In a month I will be wishing I was in Louisiana!! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Arlene Cohen says

      December 07, 2015 at 1:23 pm

      Love all three of ya. Beautiful pics of beautiful women.

      Reply
      • Sam says

        December 07, 2015 at 1:27 pm

        Thank you 🙂

        Reply
    14. Arlene says

      December 07, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Love all three of ya. Beautiful pics of three beautiful women

      Reply

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    Sam Turnbull

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    I'm Sam. Bestselling cookbook author and full-time vegan recipe creator! I LOVE vegan food, but it didn't start that way. As someone who comes from a family of hunters, butchers, and chefs I'm the last person I thought would go vegan. Here's My Story →

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