MAKE IT: Apple Juice

It's fall and I think I have covered everything from Apple pie to doughnuts, to sauce, and butter but, what I haven't covered is the easiest of them all, making your own apple juice. This is the perfect way to use the last of your fresh picked apples, or use up and extra apples in your house. I don't like to use much additional sweeteners or flavorings when making mine. You can easily get the store bought organic taste from your own kitchen with just a few apples, water, and brown sugar! Give this one a try and I'm sure you'll never want to buy it again.


Full time: 40 minutes (doesn't include cool time in refrigerator)
Makes approximately 1 quart apple juice (4 cups) but easily multiples up to make more


You will need:

9 fresh apples, ripe and red as I like to say, I use Gala
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
-water

Cheese cloth
2 pots 1 medium and 1 large, you want to make sure the medium pot is about half the size of the larger.

Let us begin:

Core and slice the apple, there is no need to peel them. In fact leaving peels on creates a better flavor.

Place sliced apples into the medium pot and add in enough water to get the apple to float, if you push down it should just to cover over the surface of apples.

Place pot on burner and bring to boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 25 minutes.

While this cooks line a colander with a few layers of cheese cloth, place this into the large pot.

 

 

Once apples are cooked , carefully pour contents of medium pot into the colander in the large pot.

Allow the juice, water to drain into the large pot.

Using a potato masher, mash down the solids until you feel you can't get anymore liquids out of them.

Place large pot on burner and heat over low heat.

Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon, cooking for 3-5 minutes or until sugar is fully dissolved.

before dissolve

 

Pour into serving pitcher or into mason jars for canning. Refrigerate or can immediately, allowing contents to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!