Sugar-Free Apple Cider Recipe

Fresh apples, monk fruit sweetener and loads of warm spices come together in this sugar-free apple cider recipe. An intense apple flavor infused with cinnamon, star anise and allspice creates the perfect homemade cider you'll want to cozy up to all winter long.

With only the natural sweetness from the fruit and no added sugar, this refined sugar-free and low carb apple cider is a delicious drink that everyone can enjoy.

Make the most of apple season with this homemade apple cider recipe!

Fresh apple cider is such a treat in the cooler months, and is extra festive during the holiday season. This easy apple cider recipe results in a deliciously rich and flavorful cider that you can enjoy chilled or hot. In fact, when served warm, it tastes just like mulled apple cider.

It's one of my favorite winter drinks and if you're a fan of a boozy hot cider, this one is especially delicious with a splash of bourbon.

Homemade cider requires a few hours of simmering on the stovetop, but overall, this sugar-free apple cider recipe is simple to follow.

Bonus: your house will smell amazing.

why you'll love it

Whether you're looking for a cold and refreshing traditional cider or a hot apple cider recipe, this one works!

Monk fruit sweetener adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the cider and since it has a glycemic index of zero, it won't spike blood sugar levels like regular sugar will.

I prefer Golden or Brown Monk Fruit Sweetener from Lakanto (affiliate links) because of their sweet, caramel notes, but feel free to use your favorite brown sugar replacement as long as it's a 1:1 sugar substitute.

This sugar-free apple cider is:

• sweet, tangy and infused with lots of spices for the same bold flavor as regular apple cider
• made with simple ingredients
• a delicious fall and winter recipe that makes the most of fresh apples
• gluten-free, low-carb and sugar free (the perfect "healthier" cider recipe if you're watching your sugar intake)

the ingredients

If you've never made your own apple cider before, you're in for quite the treat! Use your favorite apples here- I like a mix of tart and sweet, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. The orange slices are optional but add a nice, subtle citrus flavor.

Here's a look at what you'll need for this sugar-free apple cider recipe:

• apples
• orange
• cinnamon sticks
• ground nutmeg
• ground allspice
• whole star anise
• filtered water
• brown or golden monk fruit sweetener (or your favorite low-carb brown sugar substitute)
• vanilla extract (optional)

You will also need a large pot with a lid and a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth to strain out the cooked apple pulp at the very end. All of these play an important role so please make sure you have them before getting started.

how to make it

The process is simple but keep in mind that it will take a few hours. It's 100% worth waiting for, though, especially since the amazing aroma of cooked apples and warm spices fills the house. Ultimate fall vibes.

Here's a quick look at the steps involved but be sure to check out the full recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details.

Rinse the apples, remove the stems and cut them into quarters. Don't worry about the seeds/core. Cut the orange into thin slices. For a less citrus flavor, remove the orange peel.

Place the fruit into a large pot and add the spices and water. Make sure the water is 1-2 inches above the fruit.

Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and simmer the cider for about 2 hours, covered. Stir occasionally.

Use a large wooden spoon (or a potato masher) to mash the apples, pressing them up against the sides of the pot. Simmer uncovered for another 30-45 minutes.

Mash the apples again and strain the hot cider through a fine mesh strainer. Add the cider back to the pot and stir in the monk fruit. Heat until it has dissolved. Strain again with a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer. Taste and add vanilla, if desired.

Serve hot or pour the cider into a pitcher to chill. Garnish with apple slices or a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

recipe tips for the best results

• I like to set a large piece of cheesecloth on top of a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the cider through. Go slow, as the pulp will quickly build up.

• The cider is "done" when the apples are mushy and have the consistency of applesauce when mashed. If the fruit is still very firm, continue to simmer the mixture.

• Monk fruit sweetener will keep this apple cider low-carb but feel free to add your favorite sweetener of choice. Coconut sugar, agave or pure maple syrup will all work well and are still technically "refined sugar free," however they are not very low on the glycemic index.

• If you don't have oranges, a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar will add a nice amount of tart.

• I can't say for sure if this sugar-free apple cider is keto diet friendly. Almost all of the apple pulp is removed, but it's tricky to determine how much natural sugar is left in the cider (this is why I'm not providing a nutritional value estimate for this recipe).

• To make this in a CrockPot or slow cooker, simply cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours. After mashing the apples, cook on low for another hour, then strain the mixture and add the sweetener.

There's nothing quite like homemade cider and this sugar-free apple cider recipe is just as comforting and delicious as the traditional drink.

It's cozy and festive and feels right this time of year. If you give it a try and love it too, let me know with a comment below or five-star rating!

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Rich and fluffy sugar-free whipped cream takes just a few ingredients and a few minutes to make at home! This simple recipe is the perfect topping for pies, cakes, fresh fruit and more.

This gluten-free apple crumble by Well Fed Baker, an easy and gf dessert that you could easily modify with monk fruit sweetener to make a lower-carb version.

Keto hot chocolate is rich, creamy and chocolate-y, and is made entirely dairy free! Warm up with a cozy mug of hot cocoa and enjoy the fact that it's free of added sugar.

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Continue to Content

Sugar-Free Apple Cider Recipe

Yield: 8-10 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Sugar-free apple cider is sweet, tangy and infused with warming spices like cinnamon, allspice and star anise. Monk fruit sweetener replaces the sugar that is typically used in homemade apple cider, and you won't be able to tell the difference. Make the most of fresh apples and cozy up to this drink all season long!

Print

Ingredients

• 10 medium apples (any variety)
• 1 large orange
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• 1-2 whole star anise
• 10-12 cups filtered water plus more as needed
• ⅓ cup golden monk fruit sweetener (or 1:1 brown sugar substitute)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Rinse the apples and remove the stems. Cut them into quarters and place them into a large pot or stockpot.
2. Slice the orange into thick rounds (discard rounds that are mostly orange peel). Place them into the pot with the apples.
3. Add the cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, allspice and star anise to the pot. Pour in the filtered water to cover the fruit until the water line is 1-2 inches above the fruit.
4. Set the pot on the stovetop and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low-medium and prop the lid on top of the pot, venting it just a tiny bit. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Use a potato masher or a large wooden spoon to mash the apples. They should easily mash when pressed up against the sides of the pot with a spoon.
6. Return the lid to the pot and simmer for another 30-45 minutes.
7. Mash the apples again. The consistency should look like applesauce. Use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the apple pulp out of the cider. (Either dip the strainer into the mixture and scoop out the pulp or place the strainer over a large bowl and carefully pour the cider through the strainer.)
8. Return the strained cider to the pot and stir in the monk fruit sweetener. Heat on low-medium for 5-10 minutes or until it dissolves.
9. Place the mesh strainer over a large bowl and arrange the cheesecloth in the strainer. Pour the cider through the cheesecloth/strainer to remove the extra small pulp. Taste and stir in vanilla extract, if desired.
10. If enjoying hot, ladle the cider into mugs. Or let it cool to room temperature, then transfer to a pitcher to chill in the refrigerator.

Notes

• I like to use a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
• To make this in a CrockPot or slow cooker, simply cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours. After mashing the apples, cook on low for another hour, then strain the mixture and add the sweetener.

• The fruit is "done" when the apples are mushy and have the consistency of applesauce when mashed. If the fruit is still very firm, continue to simmer the mixture.