How to Make Cider Without a Press

Drink apple cider with a stick of cinnamon for added flavor.

Apple cider is a beverage that is made by pressing apples to extract their juice, and then fermenting the mixture until it develops an alcoholic quality. Many people shy away from making their own cider because they think they need lots of expensive equipment, such as an apple press. However, you can purchase prepressed cider and use it to make your own homemade version of the drink with minimal tools required.

Things You'll Need

• 3 quarts prepressed apple juice
• Fermentation container
• Pot
• Stirring spoon (non-porous)
• 1 1/2 pounds sugar, or 2 pounds honey
• 1 package of yeast

Instructions

1. Pour the prepressed cider into the fermentation container, and then place a pot on the stove with quart of water until it boils.

2. Add the sugar or honey to the boiling water and stir. If any foam rises to the top, scoop it off with your spoon and discard it.

3. Pour the boiling mixture into the fermentation container on top of the apple cider, and allow the mixture to cool.

4. Follow the directions on your yeast package to pitch the yeast and then add it to your cooled cider mixture.

5. Seal the container with the cover and airlock it to prevent any air from entering the vessel and contaminating the cider.

6. Place the vessel in room temperature and let it sit for two weeks to allow the fermentation process to occur. When it is ready, bottle it for consumption.

References

• The Practical Herbalist: Simple Hard Apple Cider: A Recipe