This homemade Instant Pot Apple Cider is perfect for the holiday season! Made with fresh apples, citrus fruits, cranberries, and warm spices, this cider is naturally vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
I make this dump-and-start apple cider in my Instant Pot every fall with just 8 ingredients and under 30 minutes of cook time. You can make too with my step by step recipe (and the video tutorial). It is so so easy, you really don’t have to do anything much!
As soon as the pressure cooker starts, my whole house fills with the wonderful aroma of apples, citrus, and spices. It instantly feels like Christmas is just around the corner! Before that I use to simmer in a large pot on the stove top for over 2 hours. But not any more!
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👩🏻🍳Sandhya’s Top Tips & Tricks
- Mash the fruit well – Use a potato masher before straining to help release all the flavors and boost flavor extraction.
- Don’t worry about perfect cuts – Just quarter or slice the fruit. They’ll be mashed and strained later, so no need for precision.
- Add cranberries if you can – When in season, they bring a lovely tartness. Skip them if you prefer a more traditional cider.
- Tuck cloves into orange peel – This makes it easy to remove them after cooking.
- Cover the fruit with water – Ensure the fruit is fully submerged for even cooking and maximum flavor extraction.
If you’re looking for more vegetarian holiday recipes, don’t miss my alcohol free drink - Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine recipe, easy Cranberry Mojito or my Instant Pot Christmas Cranberry Sauce and Christmas Star Bread—perfect for festive gatherings.
What Is Apple Cider?
Apple cider, commonly known in the U.S. and Canada, is an unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic beverage made from apples. It’s also called sweet cider or soft cider. Don’t confuse it with apple cider vinegar. This recipe is all about a cozy, drinkable fall treat!
💛Why Make Homemade Apple Cider?
- Customizable: Add or leave out any ingredients you like.
- Simple: This is a dump-and-start recipe, so no fuss!
- Festive: Add flavors that's perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- Versatile: Add rum or wine for a spiked version if you like!
- You'll need 8 ingredients and 25 minutes cooking time.
📋Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Apples: I use a mix of Gala and Granny Smith apples for a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Choose what you have at home - Pink Lady, Fuji, Honey Crisp apples.
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges and lemons add brightness. I've just used oranges in this recipe.
- Fresh Cranberries: These bring a festive touch. If cranberries aren’t available, you can leave them out. Don't sub with dried cranberries.
- Spices: Cinnamon sticks, star anise, and whole cloves give warmth. Nutmeg is optional, or use allspice powder if you don’t have whole spices.
- Fresh Ginger (optional): Add for extra warmth.
- Sweetener: Brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup, honey, or even dates. Choose what works for you.
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Apple Cider?Step by Step
Step 1: Add the apples, oranges, cranberries, spices, sugar and water to the inner pot of the instant pot. Seal the instant pot.
Pro Tip: Insert the whole cloves into the orange peel—this makes it easier to remove them after cooking, though it's optional.
Step 2: Pressure Cook HIGH for 15 minutes then Natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Pro Tip: If you are not in a rush, simply NPR.
Step 3: Remove and discard the spices. Mash the cooked fruit with a potato masher to extract all the delicious flavors. Strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer.
Step 4: Enjoy it hot or cold!
🍹How to Serve Instant Pot Apple Cider?
Serve your alcohol free apple cider hot or cold! Pour into glasses and garnish with orange slices, star anise, cranberries and a cinnamon stick for a festive touch. It’s the perfect cozy drink for fall or winter, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. In warmer months, serve it chilled for a refreshing drink.
🧂Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover apple cider in a glass bottle / mason jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat it or enjoy it cold, whichever you prefer! Enjoy this easy, festive drink all season long!
❓Recipe FAQs
Yes! After it’s ready, switch the Instant Pot to ‘Keep Warm’ mode. It’ll stay perfectly cozy without boiling or losing flavor — great for serving at gatherings.
No. Apple cider is made by simmering apples with spices, orange, and cranberries, so it’s much richer and more flavorful than plain apple juice.
You only need to pressure cook for about 15 minutes, then let it release naturally. The short cook time helps the spices infuse while keeping the fresh apple flavor.
Absolutely. Once cooled completely, transfer to 1 cup serving silicone moulds or in ice cube trays and freeze for up to 6 months.
More Easy Vegetarian Holiday Recipes
Ingredients
- 6 medium Apples combination of Gala Apples, Honey Crisp and Granny Smith , quartered
- 2 Oranges quartered
- ½ Cup Cranberries
- 2 Cinnamon Stick
- 2 Star Anise
- 10 Cloves
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- Enough Water to cover the fruits
Instructions
- Add apples, oranges, cranberries to the inner stainless steel pot of the Instant Pot.6 medium Apples, 2 Oranges, ½ Cup Cranberries
- Add the spices and brown sugar.2 Cinnamon Stick, 10 Cloves, ¼ cup Brown Sugar, 2 Star Anise
- Pour enough water to cover the fruits. I would roughly start with 1000ml and go up to 1250ml.Enough Water to cover the fruits
- Secure the lid and turn the vent to sealing position.
- Pressure Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Quick Pressure Release afterwards.
- When the Pin drops, open the Instant Pot Lid. Remove the spices with the tongs and discard.
- Mash the fruits with the potato masher until most of the pulp is squeezed out.
- Transfer the fruit along with the juice through a fine mesh to obtain a smooth apple cider drink.
- Pour them in glasses. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise and serve.
Video
Notes
Top Tips
- Mash the fruit well – Use a potato masher before straining to help release all the flavors and boost flavor extraction.
- Don’t worry about perfect cuts – Just quarter or slice the fruit. They’ll be mashed and strained later, so no need for precision.
- Add cranberries if you can – When in season, they bring a lovely tartness. Skip them if you prefer a more traditional cider.
- Tuck cloves into orange peel – This makes it easy to remove them after cooking.
- Cover the fruit with water – Ensure the fruit is fully submerged for even cooking and maximum flavor extraction.
Dana Gilchrist says
I just made this cider and must say it was truly delicious. I used a mixture of apples, honeycrisp, empire and cortland. Now I did misread the recipe and used twice as many cranberries so the cider had a pink hue to it, but I like cranberries and it gives it a festive look. My husband is diabetic so we can adjust the sweetness and the sweetener used to suit his needs. I will make this again, it is much tastier than the premade cider.
Sandhya Hariharan says
Thank you so much Dana. I am so glad your family loved it. Pink Hue works well for special occasions isn't it.
Soniya says
This looks so delicious and inviting Perfect winter and holiday drink for everyone!
Tatiana says
Didn't know you could do it on an instant pot! I still haven't got one, do you have any recommendations?
Jessica says
A no fuss recipe with BIG flavor!
Caitlyn Erhardt says
Beautiful drink! Love that it can be made in the crockpot!
Sue says
This is just stunning, I always make mulled ciders and wines at this time of year, but never thought to use my IP!