This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Warm up with a mug of Instant Pot Apple Cider. This classic cool-weather drink is made in the pressure cooker with apples, oranges and comforting whole spices. It is sweetened with rich maple syrup to make a delicious homemade mulled cider drink.

Two glasses of apple cider sitting on a white countertop. A slice of apple and a cinnamon stick are in the cider as a garnish.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and get the recipe link sent to your inbox. PLUS, you’ll get fresh new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Spiced apple cider is a cold weather staple and a satisfying alternative to hot chocolate. It may seem fancy, but making cider from scratch is easier than you think! These step by step instructions will teach you how to make a delicious batch of apple cider from scratch in your Instant Pot pressure cooker.

Apple cider is made by mashing cooked apples to squeeze out the juice. Fresh apple cider is so simple and tastes fresh and delicious. This recipe creates a cider that is slightly thiner than many ciders since the apples are pressure cooked with water and then strained.

You can sweeten the instant pot apple cider with maple syrup, honey or brown sugar, if desired.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • All of the ingredients in this pressure cooker cider are natural, vegan and refined sugar-free.
  • Homemade apple cider is a great way to switch up your go-to party punch for the holidays.
  • It’s perfect for kids and adults.
  • You can easily adjust the spices to fit your taste.

Ingredients & Equipment You Need

You will need a few natural ingredients for this spiced apple cider recipe plus an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

All of the ingredients for the instant pot apple cider on a white countertop.
  • Apples – Feel free to use a medley of apple varieties. Honey crisp, Gala apples, Fuji and Golden or Red Delicious are on the sweeter side, while Pink Lady, Granny Smith Apples, Braeburn, Jonathan and McIntosh are more tart and acidic. Use a mixture of sweet and tart apples for a vibrant, full-bodied flavor.
  • Oranges – They add a sweet, citrus element. The acidity also helps create a crisp and complex flavored apple cider.
  • Whole Spices – Cinnamon sticks and whole cloves add warm and cozy fall flavor. You can alter the flavor by using other spices like star anise, allspice, five spice or cardamom.
  • Fresh ginger and whole nutmeg (Optional) – These whole spices are optional but recommended to enhance the warming flavors.
  • Water
  • Maple Syrup – To sweeten the instant pot apple cider with a rich, natural maple flavor. You can use honey, brown sugar or coconut sugar, instead. You can test the flavor before adding the apple cider to determine if you want to add the sweetener of your choice. The cider may be sweet enough without the sweetener.

Other Ingredients & Flavors: You can mull the cider with extra fruit, if desired. Winter fruits like pear, black currents, blackberries, cranberries, permissions, pomegranates and pineapple are great options. This will change the flavor of the apple cider, depending on what type of fruit you use.

Equipment Needed: You’ll need a 6 to 8 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker, a slotted spoon (to remove the whole spices), a potato mashed or immersion blender (to press the cooked fruit and extract the juices) and a mesh strainer (to remove the solids).

How to Make Apple Cider in an Instant Pot

This instant pot apple cider recipe comes together easily, with everything cooking in a pressure cooker.

All of the ingredients for the apple cider in an instant pot before cooking.
  1. Prepare apples and oranges – Wash the apples, peel the oranges and then cut the fruit into quarters. Then, place the fruit in the inner pot of your pressure cooker.
  2. Combine with spices and water – Next, drop in the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and the remaining spices. Cover the ingredients with about 2 quarts (8 cups) or enough water to fill the inner pot about halfway.
Scooping out the spices with a spoon after cooking in the instant pot.
  1. Pressure cook the ingredients – Secure the lid and make sure the valve is in the sealed position. Then, program the Instant Pot to cook on manual HIGH for 15 minutes. When the timer stops, allow a full natural pressure release. Next, carefully remove the lid, and use a wooden spoon to discard the whole spices.
  2. Press fruit and strain – Mash the apples and oranges directly inside the pot with a potato masher or an immersion blender. Then, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to extract the pulp and solids. Transfer cider back to the pot of the pressure cooker.
Mashing the apples and oranges in a strainer to strain out the liquid cider.
  1. Sweeten cider and serve – Whisk in maple syrup (adding more to taste) and serve warm or chilled garnished with thinly sliced apples and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!
Adding in the maple syrup to the cider before serving.

Recipe Tips

  • Make sure the apples, oranges and spices are full immersed in water but be sure not to go over the MAX fill line. This shouldn’t be a problem with a 6 quart or larger pressure cooker, but check to be sure.
  • Wrap the spices in a muslin cloth to make it easier to remove the whole spices. Once wrapped in the muslin cloth, tie it up and toss the bundle directly in the pot. Then, when it’s ready, remove the fabric from the pot instead of fussing over picking out the whole spices by hand.
  • Patience is key! Once the timer stops, your home will smell AMAZING. As tempting as it may be to quickly release the pressure and open the lid for a taste, patience is key. The flavors and aromas become bolder and brighter as the pressure slowly releases naturally.
  • Make spiked apple cider – To turn this into spiked mulled apple cider, follow the recipe as instructed, let it cool slightly and then stir in 1 cup of bourbon, whisky, brandy or dark rum. You can also combine the cider with 2 cups of red wine. Or make this apple cider martini.
Two glass mugs filled with instant pot apple cider and garnished with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick.

Pressure cooker apple cider is a comforting and delicious fall drink. Serve it warm or cold with one of your favorite other apple recipes for a delicious taste of fall.

Other Apple Recipes

Did you try this Apple Cider recipe made in the Instant Pot? Leave a recipe rating and review below.

Two glasses of apple cider sitting on a white countertop. A slice of apple and one cinnamon stick are in the glass of cider.
5 from 6 votes

Instant Pot Apple Cider

Make apple cider at home with fresh apples, oranges and a few spices. It cooks in the Instant Pot for a warm and delicious apple drink.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 18
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox. PLUS, you’ll get fresh new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • 8 to 10 medium apples, quartered
  • 1 large orange, quartered
  • 2 to 4 cinnamon sticks, depending on your preference for flavor
  • 1/2 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger , (optional)
  • 1 whole nutmeg, (optional)
  • 8 to 10 cups water
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup, (or honey or brown sugar)

Instructions 

  • Wash and cut the fruit into quarters, then add it to the inner pot of a 6 quart or 8 quart Instant Pot.
  • Add the spices to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover the fruit and reach halfway up the pot, approximately 2 quarts; be sure not to fill past the MAX line.
  • Seal and secure the lid and valve, then cook on Manual High for 15 minutes. Allow a full natural pressure release.
  • Carefully remove the lid. Remove and discard the whole spices.
  • Using a potato masher or immersion blender, mash the fruit inside the pot. Pour the contents of the pot through a mesh strainer into a large bowl; discard the solids.
  • Whisk in maple syrup, adding more to taste. Serve the cider warm or chilled with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, if desired.

Notes

Storing: Let cool, then store extra cider in an airtight glass jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Apple cider without alcohol keeps well in the freezer for up to 6-12 months. Let thaw in the fridge before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 0.3g, Fat: 0.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.04g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 128mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 68IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @spoonfulflavor or tag #spoonfulflavor!

You May Also Like

5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments

  1. Hot drinks are a must with this changing and cooling weather. This apple cider is amazing! So making it again and again! Thank you for the recipe.