Pumpkin Cider
This Pumpkin Cider recipe features real pumpkin, crisp apple cider, and warm spices for a delicious beverage that can be served hot - or iced!
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 ⅓ cups pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh ginger, grated)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
- Pinch of cloves
- ¼ teaspoon of salt plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients (except vanilla extract) to a large pot, and whisk well until combined.
- Heat over medium-high heat, whisking often, just until the mixture starts to bubble.
- Reduce the heat to a low simmer (low to low-med) and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust salt as needed; salt enhances the other flavors, so if you find it tastes “flat,” try adding a little more salt.
- Serve warm, or chill and serve over ice for iced pumpkin cider.
Notes
Slow cooker: Whisk together all of the ingredients (except vanilla) and heat over high heat for 1-2 hours, or on low for 2-3 hours, just until the cider is heated throughout and well infused with the spices. Stir 1-2 times during cooking. Add the vanilla at the end, then adjust the salt to taste.
Hard pumpkin cider: Prepare a pumpkin concentrate by warming the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and spices with 2 cups of regular apple cider. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often. Once the spices have infused the liquid, slowly pour in 6 cups of hard cider and heat just until warmed through (or chill the pumpkin concentrate and serve iced).
Quick tips:
- It will settle as it sits – just whisk to combine before serving!
- Don’t let it boil. As soon as it starts to bubble, reduce the heat.
- Salt is essential to adding flavor. Without it, it tastes flat or like it is “missing something.”
- Apple cider: If you can't find apple cider, you can use fresh-pressed apple juice. It should be cloudy, amber-colored, and have some sediment when undisturbed.
- With maple syrup: Swap the brown sugar for 3-4 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
- Pumpkin pie spice: Swap the spices for 1 ¾ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Add more cinnamon (to taste) if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 6358IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg