Fall is the perfect time to dive into cider making, and that’s exactly what we did for this batch. Mike took the lead, combining freshly pressed local apple juice with a generous dose of honey to create a hard cider that’s as intriguing as it is flavorful. The idea came together when he decided to add a little extra punch to a simple cider, and the result is sitting right here in our glasses. It’s crisp, a little floral, and carries the kind of tartness that reminds you of biting into a fresh apple. Let’s dive into how it all came together.
Honey Apple Cider Recipe
For this batch, we started with 4.5 gallons of fresh-pressed apple juice from a local orchard. While the exact blend of apples isn’t disclosed, the juice offered a robust starting gravity of 1.050. To fortify the cider and give it more body and complexity, Mike added 3 pounds of local honey. The honey addition bumped the starting gravity to 1.060. To ensure it dissolved completely into the fermenter, the honey was warmed gently. Letting the honey jar soak in hot water to make it easier to mix with the juice.
The cider was fermented with Nottingham yeast. This strain was chosen for its high performance and ability to highlight the fruity character of the apples. Mike added a bit of yeast nutrient to help kickstart a healthy fermentation. After a couple of week, the cider fermented down to 1.008, creating a dry, punchy cider. After fermenting for a few weeks and conditioning in the keg, the cider was ready to serve. While it’s still a bit cloudy, the flavor is undeniably bold and refreshing.
Thoughts On Our First Pours
This cider is a burst of apple flavor with a touch of floral complexity from the honey. It’s not overly sweet, as the honey’s sugars fermented out, but you still get a subtle essence of its floral and earthy notes. The finish is dry, with a nice tartness that lingers on the palate. While it’s not something we’d drink by the liter, it’s perfect for a single glass, maybe paired with a hearty dinner or even as a base for brining a Thanksgiving turkey.
Cider making is a quick, satisfying way to shake things up from brewing beer, and it’s as simple as juice, yeast, and a little creativity. If you’re curious, give it a try—it’s a fun experiment that might just surprise you.
Brew ON!