Instant Pot Spiced Apple Cider

There’s nothing like a big mug of hot apple cider to brighten a chilly fall afternoon. This Instant Pot apple cider recipe delivers orchard-fresh flavor in a fraction of the time it takes on the stovetop—yet it tastes like it’s simmered for hours.

When leaves start to turn and the air gets crisp, it’s apple cider season. Whether you pick apples at a nearby orchard or grab them from the market, you can recreate that warm, spiced cider at home using your Instant Pot. Apples, orange, lemon and a blend of fall spices pressure-cook together, then get mashed and strained for a smooth, fragrant cider.

What’s in homemade apple cider?

This Instant Pot apple cider calls for simple, whole ingredients. The key components are:

• Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart varieties if you can—Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or whatever you have on hand.
• Citrus: Fresh orange and lemon add brightness and help balance the sweetness.
• Warming spices: Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice and pumpkin spice deepen the cider’s cozy flavor when pressure-cooked.
• Natural sweeteners: Pure maple syrup and a touch of coconut sugar give rounded sweetness without overpowering the fruit.
• Water: The cooking liquid that extracts flavor from the fruit and spices.

Variations and tips

• Apples: Use any apples you like—there are no bad choices here. Combining varieties creates more depth of flavor.
• Adjust sweetness: After straining and tasting, add maple syrup a teaspoon at a time until the cider reaches your preferred sweetness.
• Spice level: Increase or reduce whole cloves, allspice or cinnamon to taste. You can also add a split vanilla bean or a dash of ground nutmeg for extra warmth.

FAQ

Storage

Refrigerate homemade apple cider for up to 7 days. The flavor will continue to develop over the first few days. Reheat gently when serving warm.

Freezing apple cider

Apple cider freezes well for longer storage—up to 3 months. Freeze in freezer-safe containers or in ice cube trays for single-serve portions. Thaw in the refrigerator or warm gently before serving.

Serving suggestions

This spiced apple cider pairs beautifully with fall baking—try it with apple cinnamon bread, pies, or as part of a Thanksgiving beverage spread. It also makes a great base for hot toddies or spiked cider cocktails when you want an adult version.

Instant Pot Apple Cider

Warm up chilly days with this easy Instant Pot apple cider. It’s spiced, comforting, and quick to prepare.

Author: Linley Hanson

Prep: 30 mins · Cook: 20 mins (high pressure) · Cool: 1 hour · Total: about 1 hr 50 mins · Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 14 apples, cored and quartered
• 1 large orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice seasoning
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups water

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot insert.
2. Secure the lid and set the steam valve to the sealed position.
3. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 20 minutes. Because of the large volume of liquid, expect about 15 minutes of additional time for the pot to reach pressure before the cook time begins.
4. When the cook time finishes, perform a quick release of pressure and carefully remove the lid.
5. Use a potato masher or large wooden spoon to mash the cooked apples, orange and lemon until the mixture resembles chunky applesauce.
6. Allow the mash to cool for about an hour.
7. Once cooled, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a large pitcher, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.
8. Taste and add more maple syrup or sweetener, one teaspoon at a time, if needed.
9. Store the strained cider in the refrigerator and serve chilled or warmed.

Tips & Notes

• Storage: Keep refrigerated up to 7 days.
• Freeze: Freeze up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or in ice cube trays for single servings.
• Sweetness: Adjust with maple syrup after straining to reach your preferred level of sweetness.