When fall hits Idaho, especially here in Meridian, I get into full autumn mode. There’s something about the cooler air and the leaves turning that just begs for warm, spiced drinks. One of my absolute go-to’s? A batch of spiced apple cider in the Instant Pot. It’s simple, it makes the house smell amazing, and my husband is honestly obsessed with it.
Why mix honeycrisp and granny smith apples?
Now, before we jump into the recipe, let me talk apples. I use a mix of honeycrisp and granny smith apples, and trust me, that combo makes all the difference. Honeycrisp apples are naturally sweet and have this nice, mellow flavor, while granny smiths add a tart punch. Together, they balance out perfectly, so you get a cider that’s just sweet enough without turning into liquid candy.
Don’t have an Instant Pot? No problem!
If you don’t own an Instant Pot, you can definitely still make this recipe–it will just take just a little longer. Put all the ingredients (except for the apple cider vinegar) in a large pot and boil uncovered for an hour. Then, lower the heat to medium low and simmer for 2 hours, covered. Once it’s done, use a cheesecloth or strainer to drain and squeeze as much of the pear cider liquid into another bowl. Then add the apple cider vinegar to the liquid and serve!
Tools you’ll need
Ingredients
- 5 honeycrisp apples
- 3 granny smith apples
- 1 navel orange, peeled
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp whole allspice (or a pinch of ground allspice)
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 8 cups water
Instructions
- Start by popping a strainer basket into your Instant Pot. Cut the apples and peeled orange into wedges and add them to the basket along with the brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, ginger, and vanilla extract.
- Pour in the water—if the fruit isn’t fully submerged, press it down to cover as much as possible. But if it isn't fully covered, it's not the end of the world.
- Follow the Instant Pot guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook, on high, for 15 minutes. After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the Instant Pot guide for quick release and wait until the quick release cycle is complete. Careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid.
- After unlocking the lid, grab a potato masher to squeeze out as much juice from the fruit as you can. If you want an ultra-smooth cider, you could strain it through a cheesecloth.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar for a bit of tang and balance, then ladle into your favorite mugs. Enjoy!
A favorite fall tradition
This cider has become a bit of a tradition at our house, along with the pear and orange ciders I typically make. Every fall, as soon as I start making a batch, my husband’s radar kicks in. He’ll follow the scent to the kitchen and start hovering, asking if it’s ready yet. It’s not fancy, it’s not complicated, but it’s cozy—and that’s really all I’m going for.
So, if you’re looking for a simple, fall-inspired drink that’s perfect for chilly evenings, this Instant Pot spiced apple cider is where it’s at. Grab some apples, break out the spices, and let your kitchen do its thing. I think you’ll love the result as much as we do.
