Best Hard Cider Recipes

SIMPLE HARD APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• pour out a little of the juice so there's room, pour the yeast and 1 1/2 cups sugar in, top back up with apple juice but leave at least an inch of room at the top. replace the lid and shake well to dissolve yeast and sugar as much as possible.
• stretch a balloon over the top of the jug instead of the lid, poke a few holes in the top of the balloon with a pin. this is your air lock. it will allow CO2 to escape without letting bacteria inches i like to wrap string or a rubber band around the balloon to keep it firmly in place and sealed.
• set in a closet or basement and ignore for a month.
• when you come back your balloon will be somewhat limp (rather then rigid and puffed up like it's been when you've been checking on it, oh yes you have) and your brew should be back to as clear as it was before you added things. if you used store brand apple juice it should be clear, if organic it will still be somewhat cloudy, either way there should be a clear separation from the sediment at the bottom.
• either carefully pour out your cider, leaving the sediment at the bottom, or siphon out. add as much of the remaining sugar as pleases your taste buds, at least 1/4 cup though or it won't carbonate.
• wash out some pop bottles really well, this looks ghetto but they were designed to handle the pressure of carbonation and wine bottles could explode. if you want to be really pro you can get proper beer bottles and stuff, i just don't serve in these. pour your brew into the bottles, try not to leave them half full, you'll need one two liter and one 500ml bottle, unless you spill a bunch while siphoning, like i did.
• seal the lids on well and let sit for another week to mellow and carbonate, chill and drink! it will mellow more as it ages but i wouldn't let it go more then a year.

CHEDDAR AND HARD CIDER FONDUE

Steps:

• Heat cider, broth, Worcestershire, and garlic in a medium pot over medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Toss the cheeses together in a medium bowl. Sift the corn starch over the cheese, and toss to coat lightly.
• Using a wooden spoon, sprinkle some cheese mixture into the warm liquid and continue to stir in small amounts of cheese until it is all incorporated and the fondue is smooth and melted, about 15 minutes. Stir in cayenne, salt and Bourbon, if using.
• Transfer to a fondue pot or double boiler and serve with desired dippers.

PORK ROAST WITH HARD CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper, to taste, and sear on all sides in the hot pan until golden brown; set aside. Add the onions and apples and season again with salt and pepper. Cook until they begin to caramelize, then pour in the hard cider and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and nestle the browned pork roast back into the pan. Cover with a lid and put in the oven to braise until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the pork roast from the pot and transfer to a carving board; tent with foil to keep warm. Transfer the contents of the pot to a food processor or blender and puree, then return the puree to the pan. Bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper, to taste, then reduce the heat to low and add more cider if gravy is too thick. Add the remaining tablespoon of cold butter, whisking constantly as it melts. Remove from heat when the gravy is smooth and shiny and the butter is completely melted.
• Slice pork loin roast and arrange on a serving platter. Serve with sauce and enjoy!

PORK CHOPS WITH HARD CIDER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Rub each pork chop on both sides with halved garlic. Add 2 pork chops to the skillet; cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a 4-quart casserole dish. Repeat with remaining 2 pork chops.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add to pork chops in the casserole dish. Spread rice and apples on top.
• Combine chicken broth, hard cider, cloves, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper in a 1-quart saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour broth mixture over apples in the casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork chops reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 45 minutes.

MAPLE-GLAZED FRESH HAM WITH HARD CIDER SAUCE

Steps:

• If brining the ham, combine salt and white sugar with 2 quarts water in a pot large enough to fit the ham comfortably. Stir well to dissolve. Add ham, cover, and place in refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. Remove, rinse well, and dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, combine raisins and rum and allow to sit while ham cooks, at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place brown sugar, sage, mustard, lemon zest, garlic, salt and peppercorns in a blender or a food processor fitted with a steel blade, and process until smooth.
• Using a sharp knife, score entire surface of ham in a crosshatch pattern, cutting down just through skin to the flesh underneath. (If you are cutting to the right depth, the skin will spread apart a bit as you cut.) Rub outside of ham all over with spice mixture, pressing it gently into crosshatch spaces between the skin. Put roast on a rack in a large roasting pan and place in oven.
• After 20 minutes, reduce oven setting to 300 degrees. After 1 hour, begin painting ham every 15 minutes or so with maple syrup. Continue roasting until the very center of ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees, 2 to 2 1/2 hours total cooking time. (Begin checking at 1 1/2 hours to be sure.) To check for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the absolute center of the roast, let it sit for 5 seconds, then take the reading.
• While ham is cooking, place cider in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium high, and simmer vigorously until liquid is reduced by about half, about 20 minutes.
• When ham is done, remove it from roasting pan, cover it loosely with foil, and allow it to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Tip roasting pan to the side so you can spoon off all the fat from pan juices, then place pan on stove over medium-high heat. Add reduced cider, and bring to a simmer, scraping bottom of pan to free the browned bits. Skim any film off surface and season liquid as needed with salt and pepper. Add rum-soaked raisins, along with any remaining rum, and stir to combine. Pour into a gravy boat.
• Carve ham into thick slices, drizzle with raisin-cider sauce and serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

BRAISED BOCKWURST AND WARM VEGETABLE-HARD CIDER 'KRAUT WITH GERMAN STYLE POTATOES

Steps:

• Halve larger potatoes and leave small potatoes as is, cover with water, bring to a boil, season with salt and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Place sausages in a cast iron skillet, add 1/2-inch of water and a drizzle of oil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and let the sausages heat through as the water evaporates. Shake pan and let the casings crisp up until they burst, 3 to 4 minutes, and are golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• While sausages and potatoes cook, cut cabbage half into half again and trim away the core with an angled cut. Shred the cabbage very thinly with your knife and reserve. Place the shredder blade in your food processor. Peel the carrots and trim the root end. Trim the celery, and peel and quarter the red onion lengthwise. Peel the apple and quarter lengthwise then cut away the core as you did the cabbage. Using the processor, shred the carrots, celery, onion and apple, through the feed tube, removing from bowl as necessary.
• In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and vegetable mixture and toss to combine. Season the mixture with bay leaf, grill seasoning or coarse salt and pepper, and caraway seeds. Saute 7 to 8 minutes, tossing frequently.
• While cabbage cooks, put a medium skillet on the stove with a drizzle of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and render 2 to 3 minutes then stir in the yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes with the bacon to soften.
• Add hard cider to cabbage mixture and reduce for 30 seconds. Stir in the mustard and turn off the heat. Discard the bay leaf.
• When potatoes are cooked, drain and add to bacon and onion. Douse the pan with vinegar and sprinkle with sugar. Pour stock evenly over pan, add the parsley and some pepper and turn off the heat. Stir the potatoes 1 minute to form a starchy sauce and combine flavors.
• Halve crispy sausages and serve on generous bed of cabbage, with the potatoes alongside.
• Serve with hard cider or white Belgian ale with orange wedge.

SPICED HARD CIDER PUNCH

Steps:

• Place the hot water in a small stainless steel saucepan and add the sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to the pan. Bring to a boil, place a lid over the saucepan and reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer until the flavors have married, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a non-reactive bowl and allow to cool. Once cool, add the cider, applejack and brandy to the bowl. Stir to mix well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and up to 5 days. Serve in a small punch bowl with an ice mold, if desired, and garnish each glass with an apple slice.
• Place the hot water in a small stainless steel saucepan and add the sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to the pan. Bring to a boil, place a lid over the saucepan and reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer until the flavors have married, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a non-reactive bowl and allow to cool. Once cool, add the cider, applejack and brandy to the bowl. Stir to mix well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and up to 5 days. Serve in a small punch bowl with an ice mold, if desired, and garnish each glass with an apple slice.

JELLIED CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH HARD CIDER

Steps:

• Combine the cider, sugar, apple, allspice berries, peppercorns and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring once, until the apple starts to fall apart and the liquid is syrupy, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Add the cranberries and cook, stirring and skimming the foam off the top until the berries burst, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a blender and puree until almost smooth.
• Strain through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on the solids; smooth the top. Let cool 30 minutes, then cover and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.

HARD APPLE CIDER MARINATED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 bottle of the hard cider, salt, and Siracha sauce in a gallon sized sealable bag or marinating container. Mix well, and add pork chops.
• Marinate pork chops in cider mixture for one hour, turning halfway through (for extra flavor, prick holes in the pork chops with a fork). Marinate the pork chops in the refrigerator to ensure freshness.
• While the pork chops are marinating, slice the onion. Onion slices should be no thicker than 1/8 inch. Separate the onion slices so all layers are loose.
• Once pork chops are finished marinating, combine the remainder of the cider, Old Bay, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and black pepper in a large nonstick saucepan, and heat over medium heat until the mixture starts to boil/sizzle.
• Add garlic and onions, and saute until the onions start to soften.
• Add the pork chops, and saute until the chops are cooked through (about 10 minutes), turning once. After you turn the pork chops, sprinkle with the paprika to give the chops some color. Note: while sauteing the pork chops, make sure that you don't have any of the onions under them. Allowing the pork chops to rest on the bottom of the pan and cook in the cider mixture allows them to cook faster and to soak up more of the flavors of the saute.
• Once pork chops are completely cooked, remove from pan and place on dinner plates, sprinkling them with a pinch of salt (to taste). Garnish with the sauteed onions on top of the pork chops and serve.

PORK STEW WITH HARD CIDER, PEARL ONIONS, AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook onions in large saucepan of boiling salted water 2 minutes; transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Peel onions; set aside.
• Cook bacon in heavy large pot over medium heat until lightly browned. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle pork shoulder with coarse salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Working in 2 batches, add pork to same pot and cook until browned, about 7 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to large bowl. Reduce heat to medium; add shallots and parsnips. Cover pot and cook until beginning to soften, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 teaspoons sage; stir 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup Calvados, if using; cook until almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add broth, cider, reserved bacon, and pork with any accumulated juices. Bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits with wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until pork is tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Add potatoes and pearl onions to stew; cover and cook until vegetables are almost tender, about 30 minutes. Add apples; cover and cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Spoon fat from surface of juices, if necessary. Stir butter and flour in small bowl to form paste; add to pot and whisk to blend. Stir in mustard, 2 teaspoons sage, and 1 tablespoon Calvados, if using. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Stew can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Simmer stew over medium heat to rewarm before serving.
• Divide stew among bowls, sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon sage, and serve.
• Alcoholic apple cider; available in the liquor department of most supermarkets and at liquor stores.

PORK CHOPS WITH HARD CIDER PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the spice rub, in a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
• Slash the edges of the chops in 2 or 3 places to prevent curling.
• Sprinkle rub all over the chops and let stand at room temperature for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Coat the bottom of a large, heavy frying pan with the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chops, in batches if necessary to avoid crowding, and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5-7 minutes longer, turning once or twice. Test the meat for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer away from the bone or by cutting into the meat close to the bone.
• Remove from heat just before the meat is done, when the internal temperature is 145 degrees F (63 C). Pork loin is done when the internal temperature is 150F/65C, but it will continue to cook while resting).
• Transfer to a platter and let rest, tented loosely with aluminum foil, while you prepare the pan sauce.
• To make the pan sauce, add the cider to the same pan and deglaze by scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
• Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and whisk in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and Tabasco.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes longer, whisking often.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Transfer the chops to individual plates. Spoon some of the sauce over the chops and serve. Pass additional sauce at the table.

ROASTED PORK CHOPS WITH HARD CIDER JUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Pat pork chops dry and sprinkle both sides with sea salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then brown chops in 3 batches, turning once, 6 minutes per batch, and transfer with tongs to a large shallow baking pan (1 inch deep).
• Add shallots and remaining tablespoon butter to skillet and cook over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add cider and boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 3 minutes.
• Spoon shallots and sauce around chops and roast in lower third of oven until thermometer inserted horizontally into center of 1 chop (do not touch bone) registers 150°F, 7 to 9 minutes.
• Let chops stand, loosely covered with foil, 5 minutes (temperature will rise to 155°F while standing). Serve chops with shallots and sauce.

PORK SHOULDER BRAISED IN HARD CIDER

Steps:

• Make Sachet d'Epices:Wrap the thyme, parsley, and peppercorns in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie with twine to form a sachet.
• Brown Pork:Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Use paper towels to pat pork dry, then season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven or other pot with a tight-fitting lid over high heat for 2 minutes, then add enough oil to barely coat bottom of pot and heat until shimmering. Cook the pork until well browned on all sides, turning with tongs once each side is seared (remember not to move the meat too soon or it will not brown properly and will stick to the pot; wait until it releases easily). This will take a total of 12 to 15 minutes; reduce the heat if the bottom of the pot is getting too dark (you want browned, not burned, bits for flavoring the sauce). If, after removing the pork, you see burned bits, wipe out the pot and add more oil before proceeding. (Or deglaze pot with a little water, bringing it to a boil and scraping up the burned bits; pour off liquid and bits.)
• Cook Aromatics:Reduce heat to medium and add leek, garlic, parsnip, and celery root. Season with salt and pepper. Stir frequently and cook until leek is translucent, about 2 minutes.
• Braise Pork:Return pork to pot, and pour in 1 cup cider. Bring to a boil, and deglaze pot, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Add remaining 3 cups cider and the stock along with the herb sachet. (The liquid should come about halfway up the sides of the pork; add more stock if it doesn't.) Bring to a boil on top of the stove. Cover, and put in the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Cook until the pork is very tender (it should offer little resistance when pierced with a knife), 2 to 2 1/2 hours, turning over with tongs about halfway through so the meat cooks evenly.
• Finish Braising with Garnish Vegetables:Transfer the meat to a plate and strain the braising liquid through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids to extractas much liquid as possible (discard solids). Return the liquid and the pork to the pot and add the garnish vegetables, nestling them into the liquid; the liquid should almost reach top of vegetables. Bring to a boil on the stove, and then return to oven and cook until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Lift out the vegetables and arrange them on a serving platter. Transfer pork to another plate. Cover both and keep warm near the stove.
• Make a Beurre Manie:Rub the softened butter together with the flour until completely incorporated. Pour off and measure the cooking liquid remaining in the pot; you should have about 2 cups. Return it to the pot and boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 6 minutes. Whisk in the beurre manie and continue whisking until the liquid comes to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 1 minute (to remove the raw starchy taste). Turn off the heat and stir in the cream (if using) and mustard.
• Serve:Use a fork to shred the meat into large chunks. Transfer to platter with vegetables. Serve with sauce and more mustard on the side.

PEACH AND APRICOT HARD CIDER

Steps:

• Stir all ingredients together in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 2 to 3 hours. Remove cinnamon sticks and switch to WARM setting for serving.
• Serving Ideas: Serve in Irish coffee mugs with a cinnamon stick swizzle.

APPLE BREAD PUDDING WITH HARD CIDER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10 by 14-inch baking dish with the butter and set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the cream, cider, sugar, melted butter, salt, and cinnamon, and whisk to combine. Add the bread, fresh and dried apples, and stir to combine.
• Pour into the prepared dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the bread is well saturated, up to 1 hour.)
• Bake until the top is golden brown and the center is firm, about 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven and let sit on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Cut into pieces and drizzle with the Hard Cider Sauce. Serve immediately.
• Hard Cider Sauce:
• In the top of a double boiler, melt the butter over simmering water. Add the sugar and whisk to combine, whisking for 1 minute.
• Add the cider and whisk until the sugar is dissolved, 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the egg yolks, 1 at a time, whisking constantly.
• Return to the heat and continue whisking until the sauce is pale and slightly thickened, 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• Spoon the sauce over the pudding and serve immediately. (Note: The sauce will thicken and set up as it cools. If you desire a thicker consistency, serve the sauce slightly cooled.).

BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON AND HARD APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high. Add bacon and cook, stirring here and there, until brown and crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour all but 1 Tbsp. bacon fat into a heat-proof jar and reserve for another use. Add butter to skillet. When the butter has melted, add the sprouts. Cook for about 5 minutes, gently shaking the skillet from time to time. Stir in the shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the cider, honey, salt and pepper, gently mix, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the sprouts are tender and the liquid has almost evaporated, 5-7 minutes. If the sprouts need more cooking time, add more cider. Toss with bacon and serve immediately.

HARD CIDER-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Rinse the pork and pat it dry. Using a thin, sharp boning knife, make ten to twelve deep, narrow slits in the pork and insert a sliver of garlic into each. Season the meat generously all over with salt and pepper, and then use kitchen twine to tie the shoulder into a compact, uniform shape. If it isn't already, allow it to come to room temperature.
• Heat a large, heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sear the pork on all sides, taking your time, turning it frequently and adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid scorching. Done properly, this will take about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300°F.
• Transfer the pork to a large plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat in the pan, and add the onion, carrot, and apple. Season with salt and pepper, and sauté over medium heat until they are golden brown and soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add both ciders and the halved head of garlic, and bring to a simmer. Return the pork to the pan. Put a piece of parchment or aluminum foil over the meat, folding it down around it so that it makes a snug tent. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and place it in the middle of the oven. Cook until the pork is very tender, about 3 hours, turning it once or twice to keep all sides moist.
• Transfer the meat to a platter to rest before slicing. Strain the broth, discarding the apple and vegetables. Skim the fat from the pan juices and return the juices to the pan. Over medium heat, reduce to about 2 cups. Adjust the seasoning, and serve with the pork.

PORK ROAST WITH HARD CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• 1. preheat oven to 375°.
• 2. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. When it's hot, add 2 tablespoons butter. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper and sear it on all sides in a hot pot until Golden Brown. Remove and set aside. Add the onion and apples to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook until they begin to caramelized. Pour in the hard cider and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer and nestle browned pork roast back in the pot. Cover with a lid and place in the oven to braise until the internal temperature reaches 145° on a meat thermometer, 25 to 30 minutes.
• 3. Remove the pork roast from the pot and transfer to carving board. Tent with foil to keep warm. Transfer the contents of the pot to a food processor or blender and purée. Return the puree to the pot. Bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper, then reduce the heat to low. Add more cider if the gravy is too thick. Add the remaining tablespoon cold butter, whisking constantly as it melts. Remove from the heat when the gravy is smooth and shiny and the butter is completely melted.
• 4. Slice the pork loin roast and serve with the sauce. Makes four servings.

SLOW COOKER HARD CIDER

Steps:

• Pour the apple cider into a slow cooker. Tie the ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and black peppercorns into a cheesecloth to make a sachet. Add the sachet, brown sugar and orange slices to the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker on high for 1 hour then reduce to low and continue cooking for another 4 hours. Add the gin just before serving. Serve in mugs.

HARD CIDER PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Score fat layer on pork shoulder by making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern. Spread garlic, parsley, sage rosemary, and thyme over pork. Place pork in a large roasting pan, fat side up. Pour cider over pork.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 8 hours. Transfer pork to a large platter; remove and discard any large pieces of fat and skin. Pour pan drippings into a separate pot. Shred meat and return to the roasting pan.
• Whisk flour into water in a bowl.
• Bring drippings to a boil and stir in flour mixture; cook and stir until gravy is thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour gravy over pork.